NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College men's basketball program, and Gael Nation as a whole, exhaled a victorious sigh of relief Friday night as the Maroon & Gold withstood a massive comeback attempt in a 69-66 win over Canisius. The Gaels led by as many as 22 and overcome an 8:35 scoreless drought to pick up their third Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win.
GAME SUMMARY
Iona came out the gates strong and rode the fast-paced train of
Isaiah Washington in the first half. The Harlem, NY native had six points, seven rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes of action. The score was 14-14 at the under eight media TO, but a pair of back-to-back buckets from
Tajuan Agee pushed the Maroon & Gold ahead 29-19 with 5:13 to go before intermission.
The Gaels held a 35-27 lead at halftime. They were shooting 46.9% from the floor and managed to be ahead despite shooting just 2-for-14 from deep. Canisius shot 31.3% overall and remained within striking distance by shooting 40.0% from beyond the arc. Malik Johnson had eight rebounds, four assists and five points for the Golden Griffins at the break. The Maroon & Gold's leading scorer after 20 was Agee with 11.
Agee's second three-pointer of the game gave Iona a double-digit lead in the opening five minutes of the second half. The difference mounted to 15, 52-37, with 13:15 remaining. A pair of big-time hustle plays from
Dylan van Eyck carried a 9-0 Gaels run that made the score 59-37 with 10:50 left.
The next 8:35 of game time was hold your breath territory for Gael nation. Canisius went on a 22-0 run, anchored heavily by three pointers from Jordan Henderson and Majesty Brandon. The Iona scoring drought allowed the Golden Griffins to get within three, 59-56 with 3:15 remaining. During that time, van Eyck had fouled out of the game and the Maroon & Gold were dancing with danger with
Mo Thiam playing with four fouls.
Following a 30 second timeout, the Gaels took the floor needing a big bucket. After a contested jumper in the lane by Washington, Iona was able to retain possession with an offensive rebound. With time winding down on the 20 second shot clock, Washington made the paint an ice rink and sent a Golden Griffin player skating as he cruised to the basket to put Iona ahead 61-56 with 2:31 left.
Canisius answered on its next possession, put the pressure back on the Maroon & Gold.
E.J. Crawford sunk two free throws to put the Gaels ahead by five, 63-58. The Golden Griffins continued to stalk behind the Gaels with Henderson knocking down a three-pointer with 82 seconds left to make it a two-point contest.
Iona's persistence didn't allow for Canisius to take the final breathes away from Gael Nation. Crawford was blocked underneath the basket, but the senior didn't quit. He got two massive offensive rebounds, one following his own shot and another on a missed Washington three-pointer, to keep the Gaels in the driver's seat.
Acting head coach
Tra Arnold called Iona's final timeout to draw up a crucial play. The ball ended up in Crawford's hands at the top of the key, and a drive to the right site resulted in a clutch floating layup banking home to give the Maroon & Gold a 65-61 lead with 33 seconds left. Agee iced the game on the free throw line for Iona going 4-of-4 from the charity stripe in the final 17 seconds.
The Gaels shot 48.0% in the second half and 47.4% for the game. Iona wasn't entirely proficient beyond the arc shooting 5-for-23 (21.7%) from deep. Canisius shot 58.3% in the second half and hit six from beyond the arc. The Golden Griffins shot 50.0% from deep over the entirety of the game.
Agee was Iona's lone double-figure scorer in the second half with 13 points. Crawford had five rebounds and nine points. Canisius' had the tandem of Henderson and Brandon score 25 points in the second half on 9-for-11 shooting.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
- Agee led all scorers with a season-high 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting. He also ad six rebounds and two blocks.
- Crawford ended with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting. He was 2-for-5 from deep and collected six board.
- Washington was strong all around with eight points, seven rebounds, seven assists and no turnovers.
- Van Eyck played 16 minutes off the bench and had eight points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
- Canisius was led by Henderson's 20 points. He made four three point field goals. Brandon had 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting. Malik Johnson led all players with 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Agee hit multiple three-pointers for the first time this season. His last made three was his only in conference play against Niagara on January 12. Agee began the season with a three-pointer in four straight games.
- The Gaels held Johnson in check in terms of scoring. The Preseason All-MAAC Second Team selection scored just five points, his lowest total since netting zero at UIC on November 26.
- Colton Cashaw and Niksa Nikolic both saw extended minutes in the first half for the first time this season. Cashaw had a career-best three assists and Nikolic scored a basket for a second straight game.
- Friday night was the first time Iona had a positive assist to turnover ratio since November 23 against Kennesaw State.
- The Maroon & Gold have had 10 or more steals in back-to-back games for the first time since the first two games of the season against La Salle and Ohio
AROUND THE MAAC
- The Bobcats won over the Stags, 81-67, at the People's United Center. Rich Kelly scored 27 points on 8-for-18 shooting. He was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Kelly also had six assists.
- Siena won at home over Marist, 70-57. The teams combined to shoot 1-for-13 from beyond the arc in the second half. Elijah Burns had 19 points and Jalen Pickett dished out eight assists.
- Monmouth improved to 5-2 in the league with a 82-71 win at home against the Niagara Purple Eagles. Deion Hammond led three Monmouth players in double-figures with 22 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
- Rider took the leader with 1:36 left against Saint Peter's and managed a 70-66 win. The Broncs won despite just two second chance points.
UP NEXT
Iona's next game is at home against Monmouth on Sunday, January 26. The game is being broadcasted on
ESPN+ and there are
live stats to follow. Tickets are available at the
Iona box office.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
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