NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College men's basketball program erupted early at the Hynes Center and held on in the second half for a 91-86 win over the Monmouth Hawks. The Maroon & Gold had five players in double-figures, led by a double-double effort from four-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week Nelly Junior Joseph. The Gaels may have thought that they were behind the eight ball early when Isaiah Ross picked up his second foul less than three minutes into the game. Ryan Myers got early playing time, and both he and Iona benefited immediately.

The Maroon & Gold had a 15-8 lead at the 14:31 mark, and before you could blink it was a 25-10 lead for the home team. The Gaels went on an 18-2 run and were shooting 10-for-15 from the floor at the under 12 media break. The lead continued to balloon for the Maroon & Gold and the frustration mounted for Monmouth. A pair of technical fouls were assessed against the Monmouth bench and the Iona took a 40-21 lead with four straight free throw attempts.

It was a 54-34 lead for the Gaels at halftime. Iona's highest scoring half of the season was propelled by 58.1% shooting from the floor and 46.2% from deep. Myers had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in his emergency early action. The Maroon & Gold led at the break despite Isaiah Ross not attempting a shot.

Monmouth came out in the second half determined to remind MAAC fans why they were in first place entering tonight's game. The Hawks went on a 7-0 run early in the second to force a Maroon & Gold timeout. It was a 56-45 Gael lead less than four minutes into period. A basket from Junior Joseph quelled the Hawks run and restored balance. Five straight points from Dylan van Eyck brought the Gaels back in front, 71-53.

Berrick JeanLouis showed energy throughout the entire night and his hustle led to the the play of the game at the 13:21 mark. The junior guard chased down a Donovann Toatley fast break lay-up attempt and slammed it off the backboard. JeanLouis' confidence on the defense end was needed as the game wound down.

Deion Hammond caught fire in the second half, scoring 19 of his 21 points. Monmouth's leading scorer hit three three-pointers in a three-minute span to bring the Hawks closer to being within single digits. The Gaels stemmed the tide until George Papas hit a pair of free throws with 3:54 remaining to bring Monmouth within less than 10 for the first time since the 13:44 mark of the first half.

As Monmouth continued to creep closer, the Gaels had to deal with foul trouble. Van Eyck, JeanLouis and Junior Joseph all fouled out late in the game. Gael Nation felt its blood pressure rise when Hammond got the Hawks to within four with four seconds left.

Ross, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half, hit a pair of free throws to put the Gaels ahead six, but still Monmouth would not die. Papas and Martin made free throws to get Monmouth within three, 89-86, with 23 seconds remaining. The Hawks immediately fouled Asante Gist, who then missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Monmouth had one final shot to tie the game, but the Maroon & Gold defended the three-point line well and forced a jump ball with just 1.9 seconds on the clock. With the possession arrow pointing to good guys way, Gist was able to corral an inbound and hit two from the charity stripe for the final score of 91-86.

• Nelly Junior Joseph scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the game. He also contributed five blocks on the defensive end.
• Asante Gist finished with 18 points on 4-for-9 shooting. He made 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Gist also led all players with five assists.
• Ryan Myers and Dylan van Eyck each had 13 points. Van Eyck was strong all-around with eight rebounds and four assists.
• Berrick JeanLouis had seven points, three rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals.
• Monmouth's leading scorer was Deion Hammond with 21 points. Melik Martin had 16 points and a team-best 11 rebounds. Myles Ruth and George Papas had 13 points and 12 points, respectively.

• Iona shot a season-best 55% from the floor and 42% from beyond the arc. The Gaels were 75.0% from the free throw line.
• Monmouth and Iona combined for 53 fouls, three technicals, one flagrant fouls and 42 turnovers.
• Iona's 91 points scored is its highest point total this season. It is the most points scored by the Maroon & Gold since February 29 at Niagara. The Gaels scored a season-best 51 points in the first half.
• Iona committed a season-high 27 turnovers which led directly to 24 Monmouth points. It is the most turnovers Iona has committed since January 23, 2007 when the Gaels had 29 turnovers on the road against the Fairfield Stags.
• The Maroon & Gold had 35 bench points and assisted on 20 of their 31 made field goals.
• Iona attempted only six three-pointers in the second half after shooting 19 from deep in the first half.

• Canisius earned a win on the road against Fairfield, 80-69. Three Canisius players scored in double-figures, led by Malek Green and his career-best 39 points. The Golden Griffins have won five straight.
• Saint Peter's earned its 11^th win of the season with a 59-54 win of the Marist Red Foxes. KC Ndefo had 19 points, four blocks and nine rebounds. He was 11-for-14 from the free throw line.

Iona and Monmouth wrap up its regular season series tomorrow night. Tip-off between the Gaels and the Hawks is set for 7 P.M. ET. Gael Nation fans can watch the game on ESPN+ or follow along via live stats and social media. Be sure to follow Iona College athletics on all social media platforms:
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