NEW ROCHELLE, NY – In a hard fought, back-and-forth battle, the Monmouth Hawks defeated the Iona College men's basketball program at the Hynes Athletics Center, 94-88.
Isaiah Washington scored a season-high 25 points and registered his first double-double as a member of Gael Nation in the loss.
GAME SUMMARY
The Maroon & Gold came out firing in the opening five minutes of the game making seven of their first eight shots, including five straight, to take an early 18-9 lead.
Asante Gist got off to a hot start returning to the starting lineup with two trifectas, and Washington had seven effortless points before the first media.
The Gaels foul trouble, which would persist all game, mounded with
Mo Thiam getting two whistles less than four minutes into the game. Monmouth found themselves in the bonus with 10:15 to get in the first half.
With Iona leading 29-26,
Tajuan Agee drew threw straight Monmouth fouls in a span of 14 seconds. Iona couldn't convert on the offensive end and a three-pointer from George Papas tied the game with 8:38 on the clock. The Hawks made four straight field goals and built themselves a 40-34 lead with just over five minutes till halftime.
The Gaels held Monmouth without a made field goal over the final 5:06 of the first half. Iona couldn't mount much offensive of its own, failing to make a basket over the last three minutes. The Maroon & Golf trailed by one, 46-45, at intermission.
At the break, Washington had 12 points and six rebounds. Agee had 12 points and set a new career-high with seven assists. The Hawks had an immense advantage at the free throw line. They attempted 20 from the charity stripe compared to six for the Maroon & Gold. Iona's points scored and points allowed were both season-highs for any first half this season.
Gist came out flying in the second half with eight straight points to push Iona in front 53-46 just 1:56 into the second half. Monmouth answered the called with a 10-0 run over the next 92 seconds, making the score 56-63 in their favor.
Agee picked up his third foul with 16:28 to go, and staying in the game, was whistled for his fourth with 14:21 to go. With their Preseason All-MAAC honoree on the bench, the Gaels got back to within one twice around the 10-minute mark with big threes from
Isaiah Ross. However, on both occasions, Louie Pillari buried big threes to keep Iona at bay.
Monmouth went on a quick eight-point spurt and with 5:10 to go Deion Hammond made a three-pointer to make it 86-74. It was the Hawks largest lead of the game. The Gaels continued to fight and a pair of knockdown defensive possessions forcing Monmouth shot clock violations allowed for crucial offensive possessions that brough Iona within four, 87-83, with 1:51 remaining.
The Gaels couldn't capture momentum as a crucial second chance opportunity three-point shot from Ray Salnave with 1:05 left made it a seven-point margin. Iona called its final timeout with 55 seconds left after Washington hit a three-pointer to get back within four, 90-86. The Gaels defense forced a stop and Washington went coast to coast, making it a one possession game with 32 seconds left.
Iona was whistled for a foul as Monmouth brought it forward and the Hawks eventually iced the game with free throws from Papas and Salnave.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
- Washington scored 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting. He was 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Washington led all players with 10 rebounds.
- Gist scored a season-high 22 points in 35 minutes on effective 8-for-11, 5-for-6 three-point field goal shooting.
- Agee had 16 points and a game-high eight assists. Ross made five three-point field goals on nine attempts.
- Monmouth's leading scorer was Hammond with 25 points on 7-for-14 shooting. He made four from beyond the arc.
- Salnave finished with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. Samuel Chaput scored 11 points and added on five rebounds and four assists.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Iona shot 53% from the floor and 55% from beyond the arc. Monmouth shot 44% overall and 44% from deep.
- Monmouth had 32 free throw attempts compared to 12 for the Maroon & Gold. Iona shot 58% and the Hawks shot 75%.
- Colton Cashaw played a season-high 15 minutes and scored his first points with the maroon & Gold.
- Iona made a season-high 17 three-point field goals. It's the most three-pointers in a game since January 3, 2019 against Monmouth. Together the Gaels and Hawks combined for 31 made three-pointers.
- Monmouth won the turnover margin, 14-7. The Hawks at 18 points off turnovers.
- E.J. Crawford did not play in the game for Iona.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Rider emerged victorious over Manhattan, 67-63. Frederick Scott scored 25 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.
- Fairfield defeated Canisius at Alumni Hall by a final score of 63-55. Jesus Cruz scored 21 points and Landon Taliaferro netted 16.
- Siena dominated Quinnipiac in the second half and came away with an 84-61 win. The Saints outscored the Hawks 44-24 in the second half. Jalen Pickett scored 25 points and had eight assists.
- Saint Peter's survived against Niagara, 58-53, at the Yanitelli Center. Matthew Lee dished out five assists and had 13 points in 22 minutes.
UP NEXT
Iona's next game is at home in the Hynes Athletics Center on Friday, January 31. The game is being broadcasted on
ESPN+ and there are
live stats to follow. Tickets are available at the
Iona box office.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Iona College athletics on all social media platforms:
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
Iona Men's Basketball: Twitter, Facebook. Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
