NEW ROCHELLE, NY - A strong second half by the Iona College men's basketball team led to a 79-61 victory over Quinnipiac in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Hynes Center. Junior Quinn Slazinski led four Gaels in double-figures with a 16-point effort in the win. Prior to and after the contest the program celebrated its five performers appearing in their final home contest: graduates Colton Cashaw, Elijah Joiner, Tyson Jolly and Dylan van Eyck were joined by senior manager Omorede Rainey in the recognition. Rainey appeared in the final minute of play, electrifying the capacity crowd in New Rochelle.

THE RUNDOWN

Iona never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 13 in the first half. A 13-2 run for the Gaels capped by a conventional three-point play by sophomore Nelly Junior Joseph made the score 29-16 with 6:06 remaining in the frame. Quinnipiac answered with seven straight points of their own in just over a minute and the two teams traded buckets the remainder of the half as the Maroon & Gold led 36-30 at the break.
 
The Gaels scored the first nine points of the second half and never looked back. The run expanded to 20-7 less than six minutes in and a 19-point lead following five straight points from Slazinski. Iona led by as many as 24-points with 4:07 left. Slazinski again scored to put the score at 79-55. It would be the Gaels final points of the contest.
 
With under a minute to play, Rainey checked in to the contest. The fourth-year student manager was cleared to play earlier in the week for the moment to be remembered for a lifetime. Rainey attempted two three-point attempts including a 27-footer as time expired that rimmed out.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Slazinski shot 6-for-9 from the field with two three-pointers while adding four assists a rebound and a steal in 18 minutes.
• Junior Joseph had 13 points and seven rebounds.
• Jolly posted 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
• Van Eyck had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds.
• Joiner added eight points, seven rebounds and three steals.
• Cashaw appeared in 13 minutes and had an assist and a steal.

THE OPPONENT

• Dezi Jones and Matt Balanc had 13 points apiece to lead the visitors. Jones led with four assists and two steals.
• Jacob Rigoni had 11 points and four rebounds.
• Kevin Marfo led with eight boards.

TEAM STATS

• The Gaels out shot Quinnipiac 46.0% - 33.9%.
• Iona held a 39-31 advantage on the boards with the second chance points margin tied at 11.
• The Maroon & Gold posted 17 assists and 12 turnovers while the Bobcats had 12 and 14.
• Iona doubled up Quinnipiac on points off turnovers 16-8 and dominated the paint 38-20.

UP NEXT

• Up next for the Gaels, the 2022 MAAC Championship Quarterfinal round on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
• Iona holds the No. 1 seed as the MAAC's regular season champion and will await the winner of No. 8 Manhattan and No. 9 Rider, who square off Tuesday night.
• For tickets to the Gaels' first contest in Atlantic City, visit ICGaelsTickets.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

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)