NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University men's basketball team fell 62-57 to Hofstra in non-conference play at the Hynes Center. A 12-4 run to start the second half for the Pride proved to be the difference in the contest.
THE RUNDOWN
Hofstra led by 10 on two occasions in the first half. The first, a 22-12 advantage with less than eight minutes left that was answered by back-to-back three pointers by freshman
Dylan Saunders and graduate
Wheza Panzo. Leading 22-18 with just over three minutes to play, the Pride regained the double-digit advantage with back-to-back three pointers. Iona scored the final eight points of the frame over the last 2:33 seconds, with two more Panzo three balls and rookie
Jean Aranguren's layup with seconds ticking to the end of the frame. Hofstra held a 28-26 advantage at the break.
Bryce Washington capped the decisive run to begin the final 20 minutes with a three-pointer to go ahead 40-30 at the 14:27 mark. Washington's dunk three minutes later gave Hofstra its largest lead at 11 points. The lead was single digits for all but one possession the remainder of the frame. Iona got within four points in the final minute but could not close the deficit.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Panzo led all scorers with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field with three three-pointers.
- Aranguren posted 12 points and eight rebounds while adding four assists and three steals.
- Saunders had eight points, four rebounds and two blocks.
- Graduate Idan Tretout also added four assists and three steals to match his rookie teammate.
- Rookies Sultan Adewale and Jeremiah Quigley added six rebounds apiece.
THE OPPONENT
- Hofstra's Darlinstone Dubar led his squad with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
- Washington and Jaquan Carlos had 11 points apiece. Carlos posted a game-high seven assists.
- Iona held the Pride's leading scorer, Tyler Thomas, who came in averaging 25.0 points per game to eight points on 3-of-12 shooting. Thomas posted eight rebounds and four assists.
TEAM STATISTICS
- Hofstra held a 40.7%-35.1% shooting advantage and 37.9%-35.7% from long distance and connected on two more field goals and one more three pointer to account for the five point score difference.
- Rebounding was even at 37-37 with Iona holding a 13-12 advantage on the offensive glass and a 13-9 lead in second chance points.
- The Pride posted 16 assists and 13 turnovers while the Gaels had 15 and 13. The Maroon & Gold led 15-9 in points off turnovers.
- The 61 possessions per KenPom.com was the lowest of the season for both teams. Iona's previous low was 66 vs. High Point and for Hofstra 68 on two occasions vs. South Florida and Princeton.
NEWS AND NOTES
UP NEXT
Iona hosts Saint Francis University Sunday evening in the second game of a split doubleheader with the women's program at 5 p.m. The women take on Sacred Heart at noon.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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