GAINESVILLE, FL - The Iona College men's basketball team concluded its 2021-22 campaign in a 79-74 loss at Florida in a first-round matchup in the National Invitation Tournament. The Gators used a 16-3 run over a three-minute span midway through the second half to turn a six-point deficit into a seven-point lead.  Four Gaels scored double-digits, led by sophomore Nelly Junior Joseph's 18-point, 12-rebound double-double.

THE RUNDOWN

Iona held a lead for the first 30+ minutes of the contest.  Graduate Dylan van Eyck gave the Gaels' their largest advantage on two occasions in the first half.  A three-pointer from the top of the key made the score 24-16 at the 9:08 mark.   His runner at 5:12 put Iona ahead 29-21.  Florida chipped away and knotted the score at 35-35 in the final two minutes of the frame, but the Maroon & Gold scored the final seven points including freshman Walter Clayton Jr.'s buzzer-beating three-pointer for a 42-35 Iona lead heading into the locker room.
 
With 11:25 remaining in the game, Junior Joseph's jumper made it 58-62 Iona.  Florida scored the next six points to tie the score.  After a free throw by graduate Tyson Jolly, Gator senior Tyree Appleby converted two of his own to give the home team its first lead of the contest with 9:21 left.  After another Joseph bucket resulted in another lead change on the next possession, Florida responded with eight straight points and led 70-63 with 6:05 to play.  The Maroon & Gold fought back and knotted the score at 72-72 on graduate Elijah Joiner's three-pointer from the wing.  The Gators ended the game with seven of the last nine points to hold on to the win and advance in the NIT.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Junior Joseph recorded his 11th double-double of the season.  He shot 8-for-12 from the field, and 2-for-2 from the charity stripe to account for his 18 points.  His 12 rebounds were a team high.
• van Eyck posted 14 of his 15 points in the first half, shooting 5-for-9 from the field with three three-point field goals.  He added four rebounds and four assists in the loss.
• Jolly posted 15 points with four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
• Joiner added 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block.
• Clayton had eight points and four steals.
• Junior Osborn Shema added five points.

THE OPPONENT

• Florida's Colin Castleton had an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double to lead the Gators.
• Graduate Phlandrous Fleming Jr. also had 18 points with five rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist.
• Freshman Kowacie Reeves added 14 points and six rebounds.
• Appleby had 14 points and five assists.

TEAM STATS

• The Gators held a slim advantage from the field, out shooting Iona 46.9% - 46.0%.  The Gaels held a similar advantage from distance, 30.0% - 29.2%.
• Florida led 39-37 on the boards and 15-13 in second chance points.
• Each team had an equal assist-to-turnover ratio.  Iona had 16 assists and turnovers while Florida posted 12 and 12.
• The difference was a 12-for-16 shooting effort from the line by the Gators and a 10-for-18 performance from the Gaels.

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