Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Events

View Schedule  
  Go Back

Iona University Athletics

Kosy Akametu
53
Niagara Niag 4-11,1-4 MAAC
71
Winner Iona Iona 11-6,3-3 MAAC
Niagara Niag
4-11,1-4 MAAC
53
Final
71
Iona Iona
11-6,3-3 MAAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Niagara Niag 22 31 53
Iona Iona 41 30 71

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

First Half Run Sparks Iona MBB Over Niagara, 71-53

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona University used a decisive 22-0 first-half run to earn a 71-53 win over Niagara in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Hynes Center. Five Gaels reached double figures, led by double-doubles from junior Kosy Akametu and graduate Lamin Sabally.

THE RUNDOWN

Niagara's Justin Page connected on a three-pointer with 16:59 remaining in the first half to tie the game at 7-7. From there, the Gaels took control. Iona held the Purple Eagles scoreless for the next 10 minutes and 26 seconds, rattling off 22 consecutive points in a balanced surge that featured six different scorers, including five points apiece from Sabally and graduate Luke Jungers.
During the run, Iona shot 7-for-14 from the field, knocked down three shots from beyond the arc, and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line. Niagara missed all nine of its field goal attempts in the stretch and committed four of its seven first-half turnovers. The Maroon and Gold stretched the margin to 29-7 with 7:51 left, its largest lead of the opening half. Niagara answered with eight straight points to pull within 14 with under five minutes remaining, but Iona closed the half firmly in control, carrying a 41-22 advantage into the break.
 
Still holding a 19-point cushion with 10:40 to play, Jungers and graduate CJ Anthony sparked another surge, combining for three consecutive three-pointers as part of a 9-0 run that pushed the lead to a game-high 66-38. Niagara scored 12 of the next 13 points, but the Purple Eagles never closed the gap to fewer than 17 the rest of the way.

IONA PERFORMERS

  • Sabally led the way with 14 points and 10 rebounds, recording his team-leading fifth double-double of the season.
  • Akametu finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the year and the second time this season he and Sabally both reached the mark. He added three steals and three assists without committing a turnover.
  • Jungers chipped in 11 points while shooting 3-for-4 from three-point range and pulling down four rebounds.
  • Anthony scored 10 points and dished out a team-high five assists.
  • Junior Denver Anglin also reached double figures, finishing with 10 points.

THE OPPONENT

  • Page paced Niagara with 15 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists.
  • Reggie Prudhomme added 11 points for the Purple Eagles.
  • Josiah Sabino matched Page with six rebounds.

TEAM STATISTICS

  • Iona shot 44.8 percent from the field compared to Niagara's 33.3 percent, finishing 8-for-27 from three-point range while the Purple Eagles went 6-for-27.
  • The Gaels controlled the glass by a 42-30 margin, including a 13-10 edge on the offensive boards, and turned that into an 11-6 advantage in second-chance points.
  • Iona recorded 16 assists against nine turnovers, while Niagara posted 13 assists and seven turnovers.
  • The 61 possessions marked the lowest total of the season for the Gaels and the fewest since recording 58 in the 2024 MAAC Championship first-round matchup against Manhattan. Iona held Niagara under one point per possession in one of its strongest defensive performances of the year.

UP NEXT

Iona remains at home on Sunday, welcoming Canisius to the Hynes Center for a 1 p.m. tipoff on ESPN+.

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)





Print Friendly Version