HEMPSTEAD, NY - The Iona University men's basketball team fell to Hofstra, 90-76, in non-conference action at the Mack Sports Complex. Hofstra led for all but 23 seconds in the first half creating separation early in the second half and withstanding a late Iona charge in the win. Senior
Clarence Rupert scored a career-high 20 points and classmate
Dejour Reaves added 12 in the loss.
THE RUNDOWN
The Gaels held the lead for one possession, taking a 6-5 lead less than two minutes into the contest following junior
Yaphet Moundi's conventional three point play at 18:12. After six straight points and nine of the next 11 from Hofstra, Iona closed to within three at 14-11 at the first media timeout. The Maroon & Gold held the Pride without a field goal for 4:24 seconds but could not take advantage as it managed just one over the same time frame. Iona trailed 20-17 with 8:40 to play following rookie
Justin Menard's first collegiate bucket, a three-pointer from the wing. Hofstra responded with six straight points to take a nine-point advantage just over a minute later. Former Gaels Cruz Davis and Silas Sunday accounted for the spurt. Iona got as close as three points with 3:01 remaining after two free throws by Rupert. Davis responded for the home team with back-to-back step back three pointers and drive to the rim by
Jean Aranguren capped an 8-0 run and the Pride's first double-digit advantage of the contest. Iona cut it to nine at the break with two free throws from rookie
Adam Njie Jr. with less than 11 seconds to play.
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A 5-0 run by Hofstra to start the half opened a 14-point lead just over 70 seconds into the frame. It was an 11-point, 50-39, game at 18:14 before a 9-0 run put the Pride ahead by its largest amount, leading 59-39 less than two minutes later. Iona chipped away over the next 10 minutes and cut the margin to 74-68 following a pair of Reaves free throws with 7:26 remaining. Leading 76-70 at 6:16, eight straight points by the Pride gave the home team a double-digit lead it would not relinquish.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Rupert led the Gaels with 20 points, shooting 5-for-10 from the field and 9-of-13 from the line. He also had a team-high six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block.
- Reaves' 12 points came with the help of a 5-for-5 effort from the line. he added six boards and two steals.
- Four Gaels had seven points each including Njie, juniors James Patterson and Kernan Bundy and rookie JoJo Wallace.
THE OPPONENT
- Seton Hall transfer Jaquan Sanders had a game-high 24 points, leading five Hofstra performers with double-digit scoring totals. Sanders hit five three pointers and had three steals.
- Aranguren posted 18 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
- Davis added 15 points with five boards and five assists.
- Sunday posted 14 points.
TEAM STATS
- Hofstra out shot Iona 54.2%-39.0% and was 10-for-21 (47.6%) from distance to the Maroon & Gold's 8-for-24 (33.3%) effort.
- The Pride also held an overall 39-35 advantage on the glass, but the Gaels led 15-12 on the offensive glass.
- Hofstra had 22 assists and 14 turnovers while Iona posted 10 and 15. The Gaels held a 22-14 lead on points off turnovers.
UP NEXT
The Gaels take on Delaware in their home opener at the Hynes Center Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Iona University athletics on all social media platforms:
Iona Athletics: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
Iona Men's Basketball: Twitter, Facebook. Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
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