NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Niagara overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to upend the Iona College men's basketball team 85-84 this evening at the Hynes Center in MAAC play.

A dunk from Greg King with 4:50 remaining put the Purple Eagles (18-10, 11-4 MAAC) ahead for good as the visitors recovered from a 47-37 halftime Iona (16-12, 10-6 MAAC) to earn the win. James Towns came off the bench to score a game-high 20 points with seven assists for Niagara. Khalil Dukes scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half while Marvin Prochet added 14 points and eight rebounds. 

Roland Griffin led the way for the Maroon & Gold with 17 points and five rebounds. E.J. Crawford produced 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Schadrac Casimir posted 15 points in a game-high 36 minutes played.

Niagara created the early lead by starting out the game up 10-2 following a a made 3-pointer from Matt Scott. A 12-2 run from Iona, including three layups from Gavein Kensmil, turned the game in favor of the hosts as the two teams went back-and-forth before the final moments of the half. The Gaels scored 10 of the final 13 points in the half capped off by a buzzer beating layup from Crawford to go into the break with a 47-37 advantage.

Iona was able to push the margin up to 12 points on two occasions early in the second period, however, Niagara continued to chip away and eventually claiming the lead with 7:33 left at 73-71. After two ties and five lead changes in the next three minutes, the King dunked help propel the Purple Eagles. Dukes made one free throw with five seconds remaining to give the visitors a 85-82 lead. After a pair of missed free throws for Iona, Jan Svandrlik put in a offensive rebound layup to cut the lead to one with two seconds to go. Dukes was able to dribble out the clock though as the Purple Eagles earned a split in the season series with Iona.

In the effort, Niagara claimed a 49-37 rebounding edge that included 15 offensive rebounds. Iona was able to pass out 19 assists led by six from Zach Lewis in addition to TK Edogi rejecting four shots. 

The Gaels are in action again next Friday by hosting Manhattan at 9 pm inside the Hynes Center. The game is scheduled to air on ESPNU