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Iona University Athletics

Walter Clayton
Geraldo Rodriguez
59
Niagara Niag 16-15,10-10 MAAC
71
Winner Iona Iona 26-7,17-3 MAAC
Niagara Niag
16-15,10-10 MAAC
59
Final
71
Iona Iona
26-7,17-3 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Niagara Niag 35 24 59
Iona Iona 35 36 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Brian Beyrer / Sr. Associate AD / Athletic Communications

Iona MBB Advances To Championship Saturday With 71-59 Win Over Niagara

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - After 31 and a half minutes of minutes near even play, the No. 1 seed Iona University men's basketball team finally created separation with a 12-2 run over a five-minute span to earn a 71-59 win over No. 5 Niagara in the semifinal round of the 2023 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship. The Gaels advanced to a league record 20th championship game and the 10th time in the last 13 seasons.

IONA PERFORMERS

  • Sophomore Walter Clayton Jr. had a game-high 22 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
  • Junior Nelly Junior Joseph scored 14 of his 16 points and all six rebounds in the second half, shooting 7-for-11 from the field and 2-for-3 from the charity stripe.
  • Junior Daniss Jenkins had 14 points and four rebounds.
  • Senior Osborn Shema posted eight points and six rebounds.
  • Rookie Sadiku Ibine Ayo scored eight points off the bench, including a dagger three-pointer from the top of the key with 5:42 remaining to give the Gaels an eight-point lead. It was the first time in the game either team had led by more than two possessions.
  • Senior Berrick JeanLouis scored three-points but was instrumental in holding the MAAC's leading scorer Noah Thomasson under his season average.

THE OPPONENT

  • Niagara's Aaron Gray led his squad with 18 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field. He scored his team's last seven points, in last ditch comeback effort in the final four minutes.
  • Thomasson scored 15 points. After 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the first half, he was held to a 1-for-7 effort in the final 20 minutes.
  • Braxton Bayless chipped in nine points in the loss.

TEAM STATS

  • Iona shot Niagara 51.1%-44.2%. The Gaels held the Purple Eagles to 37.5% in the second half.
  • The Maroon & Gold held a final rebounding edge of 28-23. Niagara had 12 offensive rebounds converted into 16 points. The Gaels had 11 offensive boards and nine second chance points. The second chance point margin was 16-2 in favor of the Purple Eagles at one point.
  • Iona had 10 assists and 14 turnovers, just the fifth time this season with a negative assist-to-turnover ratio.  Niagara had 12 assists and 15 turnovers.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

  • Iona's 20th championship game appearance is 11 more than Manhattan, Fairfield and Siena who are tied for second place with nine.
  • The program improved to 20-6 in the semifinal round.
  • The Gaels seek a 14th MAAC tournament title.

UP NEXT

The top seeded Gaels take on No. 11 for the 2023 MAAC Championship tomorrow (Saturday, March 11) at 7:30 p.m. with a berth to the NCAA Tournament on the line.
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