NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College men's basketball team never trailed in a 91-75 win over Adelphi in a preseason exhibition matchup in preparation for the upcoming 2021-22 campaign. A quintet of Gaels poured in double-figures for the Gaels in the win at the Hynes Center.

THE RUNDOWN

After scoring the game's first five points, Iona allowed an Adelphi field goal, and it would be the closest the visitors would get. The Gaels built a double-digit lead less than five minutes into the contest. Late in the first half, six straight Adelphi points got them within six points at 39-33 with under four minutes to play. An 9-5 run to end the half gave the Gaels a 10-point, 48-38 cushion into halftime.
 
With 12:20 to play, a second straight Adelphi three-ball cut Iona's lead to under 10 points at 60-52. Sophomore Ryan Myers answered with layup on the next possession to regain a double-digit lead it would hold the rest of the way. The Maroon & Gold led by as many as 22 points with 3:15 remaining.

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMERS

Graduate student Elijah Joiner posted a game-high 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field. He connected on all four three-point attempts and all four free throw attempts in the game. Joiner added three assists and two steals. Junior Quinn Slazinski stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a steal. He shot 9-of-12 from the field with a three-pointer. Myers posted 17 points off the bench. The second-year sharp shooter did most of his damage from inside the line, shooting six of eight on two-point attempts. Sophomore Nelly Junior Joseph was dominant on the inside, posting 16 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots. In the 28 minutes he was on the floor, the Gaels held a +28 advantage on the scoreboard. Graduate student Tyson Jolly was the fifth Iona performer with 10 or more points, posting 11 points in the win.

TEAM PERFORMANCES

Iona shot 61.3% for the game and held Adelphi to 37.2% from the field. It held a 39-36 advantage on the boards despite allowing 20 offensive rebounds. The Gaels forced 16 Panther turnovers but committed 21 of their own. The Maroon & Gold put up 91 points in the game even with the turnover and offensive rebound surrendered numbers.

UP NEXT

The 2021-22 season opener takes place in 10 days on Tuesday, November 9, as the Gaels host defending Sun Belt Conference champion Appalachian State at the Hynes Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Individual game, mini-plan and season ticket packages are on sale now on www.iona.edu/tix.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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