NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Only one player from each team reached double-figures this evening as Monmouth defeated the Iona College men's basketball team by a final score of 72-50 at the Hynes Center during MAAC play.

Monmouth (8-16, 4-8 MAAC) controlled a 44-32 rebounding margin in the winning effort that helped produce 11 second chance points while Louie Pillari notched a game-high 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting to go along with six rebounds. The Hawk bench also totaled 26 points compared to just 10 for the Gaels (15-10, 9-4 MAAC).

Iona was held to just 19 made field goals on the night led by 19 points from E.J. Crawford, who also added five rebounds and two steals. In the effort, the Maroon & Gold came up with six blocked shots with Rickey McGill leading the way with a pair. 

With neither team able to find the shooting touch in the opening moments, Monmouth reversed a 10-7 deficit to a 23-12 in nearly seven minutes for its first long run of the night. The Gaels were able to trim the margin to seven points with four minutes remaining in the first half, however, the Hawks ended the half on a 13-3 spurt to lead 41-24 at the break. Pillari hauled in all six of his rebounds in the opening 20 minutes in addition to 10 points. 

Crawford scored the first five points of the second half to cut the Monmouth lead to 12 points for the first of two occasions in the opening two minutes. The run thought was cut short by Monmouth as the visitors grew the advantage to as many as 24 points in three different spots throughout the final nine minutes.

The field goal percentage (32.8 percent) was the lowest of the season for the Gaels while Monmouth shot 47.3 percent (26-for-55) from the floor. 

Iona looks to quickly respond this Saturday with a trip to Saint Peter's for a noon MAAC tilt.