NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The three-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions began league play on Thursday with a resounding home win over rival Monmouth. Iona's offense was clicking on all-cylinders as it downed the Hawks, 103-84. The Gaels hit 17 three-point field goals, tied for the most fifth-most ever in a single-game in MAAC history.

GAME SUMMARY

Iona's offensive prowess was on full throttle from the get-go. Junior Ben Perez scored the first eight points for the Maroon & Gold and by the 12:34 mark, it was a double-digit lead for the Gaels. The shooting speedometer pushed into the red from 8:55 till 4:20 of the first. Junior Jahnathan Maxwell hit his first of four trifectas to spur a 20-6 run.
 
During that four-minute span, Iona made six straight three-point field goal attempts. The gap grew to as large as 16 twice during the stretch. The Gaels missed their final four shots of the half but still entered the locker room at intermission with a 52-40 lead.
 
Perez and Maxwell both set new career-highs with 14 and 12 points each in the first half. They combined to shoot 10-for-11 from the floor and 7-of-10 from deep. Overall the Gaels shot 54.8% from the field and 55.0% from beyond the arc. Junior Tajuan Agee dominated the glass in the opening frame with eight boards. He'd finish with game-high 10 rebounds.
 
The offensive fire-power spread out throughout the remainder of the roster in the second half. Senior Rickey McGill scored 21 of his game-high and season-high 29 points in 18 minutes to close out the victory. He had nine points before the first media timeout to fuel a 66-43 Iona lead with 16:50 left.
 
Junior E.J. Crawford had 15 of his 20 points in the second half. His final basket, and Iona's last field goal, gave Iona it's largest lead of the game, 99-69, with still 5:05 remaining.
 
Together the two returners from last year's title-winning team combined for 34 points in the second half on 10-for-12 shooting; they shot 4-of-6 from long range. The Gaels shot a season-best 63.6% in second half. They finished the game shooting a blistering 58.5% from the floor and 54.8% from distance; both are new season-bests.
 
Five players scored in double-figures for Iona. Rookie Andrija Ristanovic scored 12 points, which included a career-best six made free throws. McGill scored 29, Crawford had 20, Perez ended with 19 and Maxwell concluded tallying 16.
 
Monmouth's leading scorer with Deion Hammond with 22 points. Diago Quinn had 20 points and a team-best seven rebounds off the bench. The Hawks show 47.5% from the floor and 45.5% from beyond the arc. The Hawks are sixth straight team to hit double-digit three-pointers against the Gaels. Each team during that stretch has shot at least 34.5% from deep.
 

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Iona's 17 three-point field goals are the most by a MAAC team since Iona's 19 made triples against Monmouth in the MAAC Championship on Mar. 8, 2015. In that game, Isaiah Williams '#16 and A.J. English '16 combined to shoot 20-for-31 from the floor and 16-of-25 from deep.
• Perez has four double-digit scoring games this season. His last 10+ scoring effort before Thursday came at Atlantic City against Princeton on Dec. 15. He began the season with back-to-back double-digit scoring games.
• McGill had not made a three-pointer in five games and had missed his last 13 attempts from long range before MAAC play. The senior made three against the Hawks, setting a new season-high.
• Crawford has scored at least 20 points in three of his last four games. He had a game-best five assists, tying his season-high which he had set against Hartford in Las Vegas, NV on Nov. 21.
• Three new players set new career highs in points: Perez (19), Maxwell (16), Ristanovic (12).
• Iona had 16 second-chance points on nine offensive rebounds. Monmouth committed just 10 turnovers but it turned into 19 points for the Gaels. The 10 turnovers is the fewest by an Iona opponent since VCU had eight giveaways on Dec. 1.
• Iona's 103 points is the highest single-game total by a MAAC men's basketball team this season. It is the first time Iona has crossed the century mark since Feb. 25 last season in a 110-101 loss at Rider.

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold's next game is at home in the Hynes Center against Fairfield. The Gaels and Stags tip-off on ESPN3 at 1 p.m.

MARK CALENDAR: IONA GOLF MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP RECOGNITION

The Iona College men's golf program will be honored for winning their fifth ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at halftime of the men's basketball game on Friday, Jan. 24 against Rider University.  The opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Iona Golf supporters are invited to attend the game and Goal Club Reception following the game. For additional information, reach out to Sean Burke, Golf Coach at sburke@iona.edu or (914) 633-2071.

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