RIVERDALE, NY – The Iona College men's basketball program had its seven-game win streak against its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and neighborhood rival Manhattan snapped at Draddy Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon, 72-49. Tajuan Agee had a double-double in the loss with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Manhattan jumped out to an early 9-2 lead with three three-point baskets, courtesy in large part to three turnovers from the Maroon & Gold. Iona answered the call with three straight trifectas of its own to take a 15-10 lead with 13:15 to go in the first half.

At the under 12 media time out, the Gaels had a 16-12 lead and their defense kept Manhattan's shooting to just 4-for-15 from the floor. The Jaspers were able to regain the lead 20-18 at the 7:12 mark having kept Iona without a made field goal for over five minutes. Isaiah Ross stepped up hit a second deep (very deep) three pointer from the right wing to put the Maroon & Gold out in front with 6:42 to go before intermission.

Manhattan tied the game twice in the final twice over the final 6:12 of the first half but Iona kept them from getting over the hump. Big shot-clock beating baskets from E.J. Crawford and Isaiah Washington kept the Maroon & Gold in front until halftime. Crawford hit two free throws with 2.1 seconds left to give Iona a 35-33 heading into the locker room.

The Hartford, CT native had 17 points in the first half on 5-of-9 shooting while also dishing out three assists. Ross played the entire first half and had 13 points with three buckets from beyond the arc. Washington had three points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Agee, who played only nine minutes due to foul trouble, still had game-leading six rebounds at the break.

Manhattan's leaders at halftime were Tykei Greene with 10 points and Nehermiah Mack with nine.

Iona fell behind 45-37 five minutes into the second half after Manhattan spurted out with a 9-0 run. Washington soon after picked up is fourth personal foul and Samir Stewart knocked down a three-pointer to give the Jaspers a double-digit lead.

Iona didn't have a made field goal in the second half until the 12:40 mark and Crawford didn't get his first shot off in the second half until there was 11:50 left. At the under 12 media timeout, Manhattan shot attempted 15 shots (6-15) compared to seven for the Maroon & Gold (1-7).

With just over eight minutes to go the Jaspers went ahead by 14 with a breakaway dunk by Michael Okafor. Washington reentered the game following the under eight time out but Manhattan continued to build its lead to as high as 23 as the game wound down.

In the second half the Jaspers attempted 11more shots than the Gaels and shot 46.7% compared to 21.1%. Iona didn't make a three-point shot in the second half. The only starter to score in the second half for Iona was Agee with 11 points.

• Crawford scored a team-high 17 points on 5-for-13 shooting. Ross had 13 points making four shots.
• Agee had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. It's his first since January 12 against Niagara when he had 20 points and 17 rebounds.
• Manhattan's Nehemiah Mack had 15 points with five made three-pointer on eight attempts. Christian Hinckson and Tykei Green each had 12 points.

• Iona shot 32.6% from the floor and 30.0% from beyond the arc. It's the lowest shooting percentage performance in a MAAC game this season for the Maroon & Gold.
• Manhattan outrebounded Iona, 44-27. The Jaspers had 21 offensive rebounds which led to 18 second chance points.
• Sunday afternoon's result is the first time Iona has lost to Manhattan since the 2015 MAAC Championship game.
• Iona failed to score 50 points for the first time since February 28, 2020 when it defeated Saint Peter's, 49-48.
• Crawford is closing in on 12^th all-time in career-points in Iona history with 1,603. He is 10 shy of tying Scott Machado '12.
• It was the second time this year Iona went with the starting lineup of Crawford, Ben Perez, Washington, Agee and Ross. Their first game together was a win at home in the Hynes Athletics Center against Fairfield on January 17.

• Niagara blitzed Quinnipiac in the first half and survived for a 75-59 win. Marcus Hammond scored 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting. James Towns and Greg Kuakumensah combined for 29 points off the bench.
• Monmouth earned its seventh MAAC win of the season at home against Rider, 90-84. Ray Salnave had 21 points and five assists. George Papas contributed 21 points off the bench.
• Marist and Canisius tipped off at 2 p.m. from the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo, NY.
• In an unfortunate scheduling for Siena and Saint Peter's, the Saints and Peacocks tip-off from the Yanitelli Center at 4 p.m.

The Gaels travel to Hamden, CT on Friday, February 7 against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Tip-off in the People's United Center is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.

Tickets are available at the Quinnipiac Box Office and the game can be followed via live stats. 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)