POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - The Iona University men's basketball team cruised to an 84-57 win over Marist on the road in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at McCann Arena. Juniors
Daniss Jenkins and
Nelly Junior Joseph each had double-doubles and rookie
Cruz Davis and senior
Osborn Shema chipped in a double-digit effort to lead a shorthanded Gaels squad playing without three regular rotation players.
THE RUNDOWN
Marist and Iona went toe-to-toe for nearly seven minutes, with the visitors holding a 17-13 advantage at the under-16 media timeout with 13:12 left to play. Iona ripped off seven straight points to take a 24-13 lead less than two minutes later. The Red Foxes got as close as seven points with 6:39 to play. A 9-4 run to end the half for the Gaels made it a 12-point margin at the break.
Iona poured it on to begin the second half. Less than four minutes in its lead was 23 points following a 14-3 run over the first 3:55. The run extended to 22-7 by the 12:54 mark earning the Maroon & Gold a 60-33 advantage. The Gaels largest lead came with 6:07 remaining after nine straight points made the score 73-44.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Jenkins had a game-high 23 points to go along with 10 assists, five rebounds and a block. he Shot 10-for-18 from the field and 3-of-6 from distance. He did not commit a turnover in 32 minutes.
- Junior Joseph posted his third-straight double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. He was 8-for-12 from the field with a block.
- Davis' 16 points was a career-best for the rookie. He was 8-for-13 from the field, scoring 14 points in the second half as a perfect 7-for-7.
- Shema posted 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting with two three pointers.
- Rookie Keither Florence, called in to service with Iona's injuries, had five points, three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 14 minutes.
- Senior Berrick JeanLouis made his return to the lineup and grabbed eight rebounds with three assists.
- Senior Quinn Slazinski, sophomore Walter Clayton Jr., and freshman Michael Jefferson did not play due to injury.
THE OPPONENT
- Marist leading scorer Patrick Gardner was the lone performer with double digits, scoring 16. His three assists led the Red Foxes while his four rebounds tied for the team high.
TEAM STATISTICS
- Iona outshot Marist 55.4% - 36.4%. The Gaels defense was consistent in both halves as the Red Foxes' splits were 36.7% in the first half and 36.0% in the second.
- The Maroon & Gold also held Marist to 27.3% from distance while shooting 7-for-17 (41.2%) on the offensive end.
- Iona held a 40-29 advantage on the boards and 11-7 on second chance points.
- The Gaels had 19 assists and six turnovers while Marist posted nine assists and 10 turnovers.
UP NEXT
Iona continues action on the road at Quinnipiac on Sunday at 2 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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