Iona University Athletics

NEW YORK, NY - The Iona University men's basketball team continued its four-game road trip Sunday afternoon, facing nationally ranked No. 13/14 St. John's for the second consecutive season at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm used a strong first-half performance to build an early advantage before securing a 104-65 victory over the Gaels in front of 13,753 fans.
 

THE RUNDOWN

St. John's established control early, building a double-digit advantage in the opening minutes and carrying a 54-23 lead into halftime. Iona responded with a more productive offensive effort after the break, scoring 42 points in the second half while shooting 50.0% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range.
 
The Maroon & Gold connected on seven three-pointers after halftime and finished the afternoon with a season-high 10 makes from beyond the arc. Iona also converted 11 of its 13 free-throw attempts, finishing at 84.6% from the line.
 

IONA PERFORMERS

• Ore Odutayo led Iona with 12 points, shooting 4-for-5 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. He also collected four rebounds and recorded a steal.
• Sadiku Ibine Ayo finished with 11 points, two assists and two steals in his return to Madison Square Garden. Ibine Ayo began his collegiate career at Iona before transferring to St. John's, where he spent the next three seasons, and ultimately returning to New Rochelle for his final season.
• Keyshawn Mitchell contributed eight points, five rebounds and four assists. He was perfect from the field in the second half, making all three attempts, including both of his three-point tries.
• Luke Jungers added eight points, three rebounds and two assists, knocking down a pair of three-pointers after halftime.
• Oliver Sassella recorded seven points, four assists and two steals.
• Kosy Akametu scored six points, making both of his three-point attempts, and added two assists.
• Kevon Vanderhorst finished with five points and four assists.
• Alliou Fall contributed four points and two rebounds.

 

THE OPPONENT

• St. John's placed five players in double figures, led by Tounde Yessoufou, who scored a game-high 23 points while shooting 9-for-14 from the field and 4-for-7 from three-point range. He also grabbed seven rebounds.
• Ian Jackson added 17 points, while Keyshawn Hall finished with 13 and Zsombor Maronka contributed 12.
• Quinn Ellis orchestrated the Red Storm offense with seven points and a game-high 11 assists.
• St. John's shot 55.2% from the field and 46.4% from beyond the arc.

 

TEAM STATISTICS

• St. John's shot 55.2% (37-for-67) from the field, compared to Iona's 40.7% (22-for-54).
• The Red Storm held a 38-28 advantage in rebounding, including a 17-11 edge in second-chance points.
• St. John's recorded 24 assists and 15 turnovers, while Iona finished with 14 assists and 19 turnovers.
• The Red Storm held a 26-2 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Iona connected on 10 of 29 three-point attempts (34.5%) and converted 11 of 13 free throws (84.6%).
• After halftime, Iona shot 15-for-30 from the field (50.0%) and 7-for-17 from three-point range (41.2%), scoring 42 points in the final 20 minutes.

 

UP NEXT

Iona continues its four-game road trip Tuesday with a matchup at Fordham before traveling to Hofstra on Friday. The Gaels conclude the stretch next Monday at UMBC in their second meeting of the season as part of the America East-Metro Challenge.
 

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