LEWISTON, NY - The Iona University men's basketball team held on for a 74-71 win at Niagara in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Gallagher Center. Graduate
Wheza Panzo blocked a potential game-tying three-pointer as time expired and the Gaels picked up their fourth straight win. Junior
Greg Gordon led the Maroon & Gold with a 32-point, 10-rebound double double.
THE RUNDOWN
Iona never trailed in the game, taking the lead for good following two tie scores when freshman
Jeremiah Quigley's layup just under four minutes into the contest made it 6-4. The bucket sparked a 9-0 run and a 13-4 advantage after five straight from Panzo with 12:23 remaining. An 11-0 run later in the half increased the Gaels' lead to 33-15 at the 3:37 mark, set by a three-point play by rookie
Jean Aranguren. Iona led by 20 on a Quigley bucket on the team's final possession. A tip-in putback at the buzzer by Harlan Obioha set the halftime score at 39-21.
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The Gaels continued its solid defensive effort through the first 12 minutes of the frame and held its largest lead of 22 on a Gordon layup with 8:12 left. Leading 64-47 at the final media timeout, Niagara chipped away and got within one point with less than 30 seconds remaining. Graduate
Osborn Shema and freshman
Jean Aranguren coolly sank all four free throw attempts to make it a three point margin heading into the decisive defensive play by Panzo. During the comeback effort, Niagara ended the game on a 24-10 run, hitting their final eight shot attempts, including two three pointers, and shot 6-for-7 from the line. The Gaels were 2-for-2 from the field and 6-for-11 from the line, with Shema and Aranguren burying the last four attempts.
THE FINAL PLAY
IONA PERFORMERS
- Gordon shot 15-of-22 from the field with a three-pointer and a free throw to account for his 32 points. With 10 rebounds, he completed his seventh double-double of the season and fourth in the last five games.
- Aranguren chipped in 14 points, shooting 4-for-8 from the field and 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. He added three rebounds and two assists.
- Graduate Joel Brown had 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
- Quigley had nine points and two steals.
THE OPPONENT
- Quandre Bullock had 22 points to lead the home team, shooting 8-for-10 from the field and 4-of-6 from long distance.
- Braxton Bayless netted 13 points with five assists and four boards.
- Obioha had 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks.
- Kwane Marble led with 10 rebounds.
TEAM STATISTICS
- Both teams shot 50.0% from the field, the Gaels connecting on 28 attempts and the Purple Eagles 27.
- Niagara out rebounded Iona 37-30 and held a 9-2 advantage on second chance points.
- Iona had nine assists and 11 turnovers while the Purple Eagles had 14 assists and 16 turnovers. Iona led 21-17 on points off turnovers.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Gordon posted his second 30-point effort in the last two games and has tied teammate Idan Tretout and Siena's Sean Durugordon for most in the MAAC this season.
- Gordon's seven double doubles ranks No. 2 in the MAAC.
- Iona has won six of its last seven games and sits in third place in the MAAC standings, tied in the loss column with second place Fairfield.
UP NEXT
The Gaels continue action in Western New York at Canisius Saturday at 1 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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