NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College men's basketball program picked up its second straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win on Friday night. The Maroon & Gold took down Saint Peter's in their lone matchup during the regular season, 62-46.

GAME SUMMARY

The Gaels used a 24-5 run in an 8:22 stretch during the second half to pull away from visiting Saint Peter's. The game was tied at 29-29 three minutes into the second half and by the 7:54 mark it was a 19-point edge. Junior Asante Gist led the Maroon & Gold attack in the second half, scoring 12 of his 17 points.
 
It was a sluggish start for both teams at the beginning of the game with neither team shooting the ball well in the first half. Iona led by five at intermission, 27-22, and pulled away in the second half with increased offensive efficiency. The Gaels shot 43.3% in the second half compared to 33.3% in the first half.
 
The Gaels had 16 assist on 23 of its made field goals. Nine of Iona's assist came in the second half, six of which came from senior Rickey McGill. The Spring Valley, NY native had a team-leading seven. He finished the game with 13 points, three steals, two blocks and five rebounds in addition to his helpers.
 
The game was accented at the end with an alley-oop finish. McGill tossed one off the backboard that junior Tajuan Agee slammed home with just ticks left on the clock. Agee finished the game with six points and he tied a personal-best with 13 rebounds.
 
Junior E.J. Crawford had a deceptive 17 points 5-of-11 shooting. He made all five attempts from beyond the arc.
 
Saint Peter's was led by Samuel Idowu's 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Defensively he was the staunchest Peacock with five blocks. Davauhnte Turner also had double-figures with 11 points.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• With his first steal in the game, McGill sits sixth all-time in program history in career steals. He surpassed Scott Machado '12 on the all-time list. McGill is nine steals away from becoming just the sixth player in program history with 200+ steals.
• Iona's first half against Saint Peter's was the strongest of the season. The Peacocks scored just 22 points, tied for the lowest in a single-half this season by an opponent. Saint Peter's shot 30.8% from the floor.
• Iona had 22 points off 13 Saint Peter's turnovers. In converse, the Peacocks had just one point off nine Maroon & Gold turnovers. Iona had eight steals on the day, let by McGill's three.
• Friday's result is the first time Iona won a MAAC game by double-digits since Jan. 18 against Marist when the Maroon & Gold emerged victorious, 90-77.
• Saint Peter's has two former Iona College men's basketball staffers on its coaching staff. Peacocks head coach Shaheen Halloway and video coordinator Ryan Whalen came back to the first time since their departure to Seton Hall in 2010.

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 19 against Quinnipiac. The Gaels and Bobcats will tangle at the People's United Center in Hamden, CT at 7 p.m. The game is bring broadcasted on ESPN3.
 
Iona's final home game, and senior day for McGill, is on Sunday, Feb. 24 against Canisius.

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