NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Visiting Rider shot 59.7 percent from the field on the way to a 103-85 victory against the Iona College men's basketball this evening despite a career-high 38 points from Jordan Washington.

The Broncs (15-14, 8-10 MAAC) passed out 24 assists towards 40 made field goals and the highest shooting percentage the Gaels (18-11, 11-7 MAAC) have surrendered this season (59.7 percent – 40-for-67). All five Rider starters scored in double-figures, led by 28 from Jimmie Taylor on 11-of-14 shooting. Stevie Jordan totaled nine assists along with 17 points while Kahlil Thomas netted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

In reserve duty, Jordan Washington posted a 12-of-22 performance from the field along with 14-of-17 from the charity stripe towards his career night of 38 points. The senior also added 10 rebounds for his third straight and sixth overall double-double of the year. Jon Severe added 16 points and five assists while Taylor Bessick hauled in a game-high 11 rebounds.

A 21-5 run midway through the first half helped Rider jump out to a 30-14 advantage following a jumper from Norville Carey. The advantage extended to 19 points less than three minutes later before Iona used a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to eight point on the heels of an E.J. Crawford trey.

After a Severe layup brought the margin back to single digits with 35 seconds remaining, Taylor converted a 3-pointer at the halftime break to push the Broncs ahead 50-38. Taylor led all scorers in the first half with 13 points as Rider shot 54.3 percent (19-for-35) from the field compared to 36.4 percent (12-for-22) for the Maroon & Gold.

Less than four minutes into the second half, Rickey McGill brought Iona to within seven points at 55-48 with a steal and a layup. However, an 11-0 run from Rider pushed the lead to 18 points as well as extending to double-digits for the remainder of the game.

Jan Svandrlik came off the bench for back-to-back 3-pointer and helped Iona bring the deficit to 13 points twice throughout the final six minutes. Nonetheless, the Broncs maintained the double-digit lead thanks in large part to 65.6 percent (21-for-32) shooting in the final 20 minutes.

The 103 points scored by Rider is the most an opponent has scored against Iona since Monmouth tallied 110 points on January 15, 2016. Additionally, Washington's 38 points were the most by a Gael since AJ English totaled 37 at North Texas on November 23, 2014.

Iona plays the second of three straight homes games to end the season on Friday, hosting Manhattan for a 9:00 pm start inside the Hynes Center. The game is scheduled to be televised on ESPNU. 

Additional Recaps:

● 2/20/17 - The Ionian - Ryan McFadden - Iona falls to Rider despite Washington's career performance
● 2/19/17 - NY Journal News - AP - Jordan Washington's big day not enough for Iona in loss to Rider
● 2/19/17 - Federal News Radio - AP - Taylor Scores 28, leads Rider to upset win at Iona, 103-85