Iona University Athletics

HEMPSTEAD, NY - The Iona University men's basketball team battled Hofstra through 45 minutes, but the Pride came away with a 62-59 overtime victory in non-conference action Friday night at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.
 

THE RUNDOWN

Meeting for the seventh consecutive season, Iona and Hofstra delivered another tightly contested matchup in the 47th meeting between the programs. Neither team led by more than six points, and the contest featured 10 lead changes and six tie scores.
 
Hofstra carried a 22-20 advantage into halftime before the Gaels opened the second half with a strong response. Senior Kevon Vanderhorst connected from three-point range to give Iona its first lead of the half, and sophomore Aiden Disu followed with a basket inside to put the Maroon & Gold ahead by three.
 
The teams continued to trade baskets throughout the second half. Iona found contributions from across the lineup, with graduate Luke Jungers and Vanderhorst connecting from beyond the arc while freshman Ore Odutayo and senior Keyshawn Mitchell provided an interior presence. The Gaels built a six-point advantage midway through the period, but Hofstra answered to bring the game back even.
 
Neither side could create separation down the stretch. Iona continued to answer Hofstra's scoring opportunities, and sophomore Alliou Fall converted a free throw in the closing seconds to help even the score at 51-51. Hofstra's final attempt at the regulation buzzer was unsuccessful, sending the contest into overtime.
 
The back-and-forth battle continued in the extra period. Odutayo gave Iona an early lift with a second-chance basket, and Jungers followed with a three-pointer to put the Gaels ahead, 56-53. After Hofstra pulled within one, Vanderhorst came up with a steal and converted a three-pointer to give Iona a four-point cushion, 59-55, with 1:31 remaining.
 
Hofstra responded with a three-pointer before Justin Moore put the Pride in front, 60-59, with 22 seconds remaining. After a turnover, Moore converted two free throws with nine seconds left to establish the final margin. Iona's final three-point attempt was unable to find the mark.
 

IONA STATISTICS

• Vanderhorst led Iona with 15 points, scoring 13 in the second half and overtime combined. He added five rebounds and three steals.
• Jungers finished with 12 points, including eight after halftime and in overtime, while connecting on two three-pointers.
• Odutayo contributed nine points and eight rebounds.
• Mitchell recorded 11 rebounds, reaching double figures on the glass for the second consecutive game. He added four points.
• Fall scored five points and grabbed four rebounds.

 

THE OPPONENT

• Moore led all scorers with 22 points, adding eight assists and two steals.
• Tanner Thomas scored 17 points, including five three-pointers.

 

TEAM STATISTICS

• Iona shot 33.3 percent from the field (21-for-63), including 20.0 percent from three-point range (6-for-30).
• Hofstra shot 35.4 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from three-point range.
• The Gaels held a 49-45 rebounding advantage, including a 21-17 edge on the offensive glass.
• Iona scored 28 points in the paint compared to Hofstra's 18 and held a 12-7 advantage in second-chance points.
• The Gaels converted 10 Hofstra turnovers into 13 points, while the Pride scored 12 points off Iona's 12 turnovers.
• Iona held a 10-2 advantage in fast-break points and a 27-12 edge in bench scoring.

 

UP NEXT

Iona concludes its four-game road trip Monday with the second game of the America East-Metro Challenge against UMBC.
 

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