NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College men's basketball program lost at home in the Hynes Athletics Center to the Siena Saints on Friday night, 87-64. E.J. Crawford led all scorers with 22 points. Siena dominated the glass in its win, out-rebounding the Maroon & Gold 42-24. The Saints came out hot from the get-got hitting its first three shots from the floor. Their offensive consistency, which would continue all night, carried them to a 23-13 lead at the under 12 media timeout. At the point Iona had allowed seven offensive rebounds and eight second chance points.

At the 10:53 mark, the Gaels lost Tajuan Agee for the remainder of the first half after he picked up his second personal foul. Iona called a 30 second timeout trailing 33-19 with 8:01 left before halftime. Over the next three minutes, Siena went on a 10-0 run to take a 38-19 lead with 5:17 left. 30 seconds later, back-to-back three pointers from Crawford made it 38-25.

After a quick Siena timeout, the Saints went on a run and took a 16-point lead into halftime, 45-29. Iona was out rebounded 23-9 in the first half. Siena shot 51.5% from the floor and 55.6% from deep. The Gaels shot 37.0% from the floor and 42.9% from beyond the arc. Crawford had a team-high 12 points in the first half. Siena's Jalen Pickett had five points, four assists and three rebounds to begin the game.

The Maroon & Gold trailed by 20 for the first time with 17:26 on the clock. The Gaels flirted getting back into it, but the Saints continued to be crisp offensively. A layup by Jordan King put the visiting team ahead, 71-40, with 9:04 left for their largest lead of the game.

Iona made its last four shots from the field to make the final score 87-64.

• Crawford scored 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting. He made three three-point field goals.
• Washington netted 13 points and tied for a team-best with three assists and two steals.
• Isaiah Ross grabbed a team-high five rebounds in addition to nine points.
• Siena had seven players score double figures with King leading the way with 13 points off the bench.
• Pickett, the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, had 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Manny Camper scored 12 points and earned a double-double with 13 rebounds.

• The Gaels finished the game shooting 40.4% from the floor and 32.0% from deep. It assisted on 10 of its 23 made field goals. Siena shot 50.0% overall and 35.7% from long range. The Saints had 14 assists on 30 made field goals.
• Siena closed the game with 16 offensive rebounds and 14 second chance points. The Saints outrebounded the Gaels, 42-24.
• Iona's bench was outscored, 31-10. Mo Thiam scored five points. Ben Perez made a basket and Colton Cashaw scored three.
• Both Iona and Siena's coaching staffs partook in Coaches Cure Cystic Fibrosis awareness by wearing sweat suites on the sideline. Curing CF promotes and increases community awareness to raise funds necessary to support Cystic Fibrosis research through the college basketball community.
• At halftime of Friday's game, Iona College Athletics honored the Iona Golf team who have won back-to-back Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships. Iona's Student Athlete Advisory Committee was also featured at intermission for their efforts in raising money for the local Gullotta House.
• Siena's win is its first win away from the Times Union Center this season.

• Rider handled Fairfield at Alumni Gymnasium, 68-52. Dimencio Vaughn led all scorers with 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
• Marist won in Buffalo against the Purple Eagles, 67-48. Jordan jones scored 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting. No player on Niagara scored double-figures.
• Quinnipiac earned a road win at the Koessler Athletic Center, 9-73. Tyrese Williams scored 26 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Rich Kelly had 15 points and eight assists.
• Saint Peter's defeated Manhattan at the Yanitelli Center, 70-53. Matthew Lee and Dallas Watson each scored ten points. The Jaspers shot just 4-for-19 from beyond the arc and 9-for-19 from the free throw line.

The Maroon & Gold kick off the activity on Super Bowl Sunday with the first two games this season against their MAAC and neighborhood rival, Manhattan. First tip from Draddy Gymnasium in Riverdale, NY is set for 12:00 p.m.
The game is being broadcasted on ESPN+. Fans can also follow the action via Live Stats. Tickets can be purchased from the Manhattan Athletics box office. 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)
 
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