ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - The Iona University men's basketball team earned its league record 14th Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament title in a 76-55 win over Marist at Boardwalk Hall.
THE RUNDOWN
The top-seeded Gaels never trailed in a 76-55, wire-to-wire win over No. 11 Marist in the final Saturday night. The Gaels controlled the game from the opening tip and never looked in the rearview mirror. Iona controlled the opening half, leading for the entire frame. Tied at 2-2, the Gaels scored the game's next eight points to go ahead 10-2. Marist cut the deficit to four points but Iona scored five straight to push the lead to nine, owning a 15-6 lead. The Gaels maintained the advantage, keeping the Red Foxes no closer than a handful of points. With 1:51 to play in the half,
Sadiku Ibine Ayo knocked down a three for Iona to extend the lead to its largest of the half at 11 points (33-22). The Gaels would take a 35-26 advantage into the locker room.
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Marist battled back in the second, opening up the final period with a 20-9 run over the first 9:35 to knot the game at 46-46. Capping off the run was a triple from the wing by Kam Farris. For the remainder of the game, Iona outscored Marist by a wide margin of 30-9, leading to the 76-55 win.
THE TWEETS
IONA PERFORMERS
- Junior Daniss Jenkins was named the MAAC Championship's most outstanding performer, capping off a stellar tournament with a 27-point, five rebound, two-assist effort. He shot 8-for-18 from the field, draining a career-best six three pointers to lead the Gaels.
- Fellow All-Tournament Team member Walter Clayton Jr. posted 17 points, adding six rebounds and four assists.
- Iona's third All-Tourney member was junior Nelly Junior Joseph, whose nine point, 11-rebound performance was critical in the Gaels' second half success. He added three assists, four blocks and two steals.
- Senior Berrick JeanLouis had eight points and six boards and classmate Osborn Shema had six points and three rebounds in the win.
THE OPPONENT
- Marist's Patrick Gardner led with 23 points on 9-of-19 shooting and three three-point field goals. He also posted a team best seven rebounds and two assists.
- Kam Farris chipped in 12 points in the loss.
TEAM STATISTICS
- A defensive battle throughout, the Gaels out shot Marist 40.7%-33.3%.
- Iona also earned a 38-34 rebounding advantage with second chance points knotted at 10-10.
- The Gaels had 10 assists and 11 turnovers while Marist posted eight assists and 18 turnovers. Iona held a 23-12 advantage in points off giveaways.
NOTABLE NUGGETTS
- The 2022-23 Iona Gaels have won 14 straight games, dating back to January 27, and has compiled 27 total wins on the season. The 14 straight wins is the third longest winning streak in program history behind 15 in 1997-98 and 17 in 1979-80. The 27 overall wins matches the second highest single-season total from 1997-98 and stands two behind the school record 29 in 1979-80.
- The victory clinched the program's second title in three years under head coach Rick Pitino and seventh over the last 11 years since 2013.
- Joining Jenkins, Clayton Jr. and Junior Joseph on the All-Tournament teams were Marist's Isaiah Brickner and Patrick Gardner, Niagara's Noah Thomasson and Saint Peter's Jaylen Murray.
UP NEXT
Iona receives the MAAC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Gaels will learn their opponent and site for their NCAA berth during the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Selection Show on Sunday, March 12, at 6 p.m. on CBS.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Iona University athletics on all social media platforms:
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