NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College men's basketball team dropped its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opening game against Saint Peter's on Friday night, 75-74. The Peacocks silenced the Hynes Athletics Center with a game-winning layup as the buzzer sounded to earn their first win in New Rochelle since the conference opener in the 2009-10 season on December 4.
GAME SUMMARY
Iona led by as many as 17 points in the second half but Saint Peter's made a furious comeback over the final 9:34. A 24-6 run was capped off by Daryl Banks III making a game-winning layup as time was expiring. Banks took the ball down the court after Iona missed a chance to ice the game at the free throw line with five seconds to go.
The Maroon & Gold struggled offensively over the final 10 minutes of the game. They made just one field goal, which appeared to be the icing on the cake.
Mo Thiam hit a three-pointer with 15 seconds left, assisted by Crawford that put Iona on top 74-70. On their next possession, the Peacocks got a three-pointer from Doug Edert to make the margin just one. A timeout as called, the Gaels inbounded, and the final sequence ensued.
Banks' final basket was the first lead Saint Peter's had in the second half. KC Ndefo had a trip to the free throw line with 43.1 seconds left with a chance to tie the game, but Iona survived that moment with him just going one-of-two.
The Gaels had to play the final 4:57 with
Tajuan Agee who fouled out of the game with his second offensive foul of the game. At the point, the Maroon & Gold stilled led the game, 70-59.
The first half success adds to the second half heartbreak for Iona. In the opening 20 minutes, the Gaels shot 48.1% from the floor and 46.7% from beyond the arc. They led 40-34, due in large part to
Isaiah Ross knocking down three three-point field goals over the final three minutes before intermission. Both he and
E.J. Crawford each had nine points in the first half and both finished the game with new season-high point totals.
Banks had 16 points in the first half for Saint Peter's on 5-of-9 shooting. Iona held him without a shot attempt in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but he had nine points over the final 10 minutes. His game-winning lay-in gave him a game-high 25 points on 8-for-16 shooting.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
- Crawford led the Gaels with a season-high 24 points on 6-for-11 shooting. He made a career-best 11-for-14 from the free throw line.
- Thiam scored a season-best 12 points and also pulled down a team-best nine rebounds.
- Ross finished the game with a season-high 15 points, making 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
- Isaiah Washington had a team-best four assists for Iona. Matthew Lee led Saint Peter's with four as well.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Iona finished the game shooting 42.3% from the floor and 42.9% from beyond the arc. Saint Peter's shot 41.9% from the field and 46.2% from long range.
- The Saint Peter's bench outscored the Iona bench 49-22. Edert and KC Ndefo combined for 26 points on their own.
- Iona made a season-beast 12 three pointers. It is the first time the Gaels shot over 25.0% from deep since November 23 when they played Kennesaw State in Lake Buena Vista, FL.
- Friday night is the first time Saint Peter's won in New Rochelle since December 4, 2009. The Peacocks won that game, 56-54.
- The last time Iona lost its home MAAC-opener was on December 4, 2016 against Niagara, 74-58.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Quinnipiac defeated Marist on the road in Poughkeepsie, 63-58. The Red Foxes lost the game despite shooting 45.8% from the floor. Quinnipiac made 13 three-point field goals with Rich Kelly and Tyrese Williams each nailing four.
- Manhattan began its Western New York swing with a 71-67 decision over Canisius. Both Pauly Paulicap and Tykei Greene had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Jaspers.
- Monmouth lost on the road to the Siena Saints, who improve to 2-0 in league play. Five different Siena players scored in double-figures, led by Donald Carey's 15 points.
- Niagara defended home court against Fairfield, 75-66. The Purple Eagles had four players in double-figures, lead by James Towns' 18.
UP NEXT
The Gaels travel south to West Long Branch, NJ on Sunday, January 5 to battle against Monmouth at 2:00 p.m. It is a rematch of the 2019 MAAC Championship game. The game is being broadcasted on
ESPN3. You can follow the game live via
stats.
Tickets are available online.
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)
