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Iona University Athletics

Yaphet Moundi
Will Quincy - Iona Athletics
64
Fairfield Fairf 8-14,4-7 MAAC
87
Winner Iona Iona 9-13,6-5 MAAC
Fairfield Fairf
8-14,4-7 MAAC
64
Final
87
Iona Iona
9-13,6-5 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Fairfield Fairf 32 32 64
Iona Iona 48 39 87

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

Moundi's Historic Effort Jolts Iona MBB to Big Win Over Faifield, 87-64

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Junior Yaphet Moundi's historic 25-point, 20-rebound effort led the Iona University men's basketball team's 87-64 victory over Fairfield in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Hynes Center. Moundi recorded the program's first 20-rebound effort in 35 years and the MAAC's first 20/20 performance in six seasons in the Gaels rout of the Stags. The Maroon & Gold won its 17th straight contest over the Stags in New Rochelle, scoring a season best point total.

THE RUNDOWN

Iona faced its only deficit of the game early on the first of four three pointers by Fairfield's leading scorer Deon Perry to put the score at 7-6 just four minutes in. The Gaels answered with 13 straight points and never looked back. Moundi capped the run with a strong move inside to make it 19-7 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half. Iona maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the final 31:19 of the game. Moundi had a double-double by the end of the first half, posting 16 points and 11 boards in 14 minutes on the court. Junior Dejour Reaves had 15 in the first 20 minutes of the contest.
 
Iona opened up a 20 point lead less than a minute into the second half with five straight points on a three-ball by rookie Adam Njie Jr. and a post score from senior Clarence Rupert. Its largest lead was 25 when two Jalen Barr free throws made it 75-70 with 6:32 left.

THE MOUNDI FACTOR

  • Moundi delivered a dominant 25-point, 20-rebound performance off the bench, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 9-of-13 from the free-throw line in just 25 minutes. He grabbed 11 of his 20 rebounds on the offensive glass.
  • The last Iona player to record 20 or more rebounds in a game was Jonathan Duck, who pulled down 20 boards against Seton Hall on November 24, 1990.
  • The most recent MAAC player to achieve a 20/20 game was Rider's Tyere Marshall, who tallied 28 points and 20 rebounds against UMass on November 20, 2019. The last 20/20 performance in a MAAC tournament game came from Quinnipiac's Ousmane Drame against Marist on March 5, 2015, during the MAAC Championship. The last MAAC regular-season 20/20 effort was recorded by Siena's O.D. Anosike against Marist on January 27, 2013.
  • According to ESPN Stats & Info and Stats, Inc., Moundi's performance was one of 13 recorded 20/20 games by nine different MAAC players since the 1996-97 season, spanning 29 seasons. He becomes just the sixth MAAC player in that span to record at least 25 points and 20 rebounds, joining Tyere Marshall, Ousmane Drame, Rider's Jason Thompson (26 points, 24 rebounds on Feb. 10, 2008), Canisius' Darren Fenn (28 points, 22 rebounds on Jan. 31, 2000), and Fairfield's Darren Phillip (28 points, 24 rebounds on Dec. 5, 1998).
  • Moundi is the only player among the 13 recorded 20/20 performances to accomplish the feat in under 30 minutes of playing time.

IONA PERFORMERS

  • Not to be overlooked by Moundi's effort, Reaves poured in 19 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
  • Njie and junior Luke Jungers each had 11 points.
  • Njie posted nine of his 11 points in the second half and led the Gaels with four assists to go along with two steals.
  • Jungers had his third straight double-digit effort at the Hynes Center and fourth overall in his last six games. He added two assists, a steal and a block.

THE OPPONENT

  • Perry was a bright spot for the visitors, scoring 20 points. He added four assists and two steals.
  • Peyton Smith scored 14 points and Louis Bleechmore and Prophet Johnson scored 11 apiece.
  • Jamie Bergens led with six assists and matched Smith and Bleechmore's six-rebound efforts to lead Stags.

TEAM STATISTICS

  • Iona out shot Fairfield 44.4%-36.7%. The Gaels were 8-for-20 from long distance and 23-for-27 from the charity stripe. The Stags were 7-for-20 from deep and 21-for-25 from the line.
  • Iona held a 42-26 advantage on the boards and 18-4 in second chance points.
  • The No. 3 team in the NCAA in field goal attempt differential and offensive rebounds shot 14 more attempts than its opponent, grabbing 19 boards on the offensive glass.
  • The Gaels had 14 assists and nine turnovers while the Stags posted 16 assists on their 18 field goals, committing 14 turnovers.
  • Iona also dominated inside to the tune of a 40-16 advantage on points in the paint.

UP NEXT

A pivotal road trip awaits the Gaels as they face a red-hot Mount St. Mary's on Thursday (Feb. 6) in their only matchup of the season against the Mountaineers, who are currently tied with Iona for fourth place in the MAAC standings. The Gaels then head to Poughkeepsie on Saturday (Feb. 8) for a key evening showdown against first-place Marist.

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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