Iona Defeats Siena; Advances to Semifinal of the MAAC Championship
MAAC Sports
ALBANY, N.Y. – The top-seed Iona College defeated No. 8 seed Siena College, 74-71, in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York.
In a contest in which Iona never trailed, the Gaels jumped out to an early 22-12 lead at the 11:45 mark after a made three by A.J. English. The Saints would get within seven points in the half but failed to cut the deficit any closer. The Gaels managed to hit 7-of-13 three point field goals (54%) in the first half, taking a 45-37 lead into the break. In the second half of the game, Siena would make several runs, getting within three points with 4:25 remaining and then cutting the deficit to two points after a made three pointer by Ryan Oliver with 1:02 left making the score 69-67.
English finished with a game high; 32 points while both David Laury (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Isaiah Williams (16 points, 11 rebounds) both finished with double-doubles for the Gaels. Lavon Long finished the contest with a Siena best, 17 points, and senior Rob Poole added 14 points.
Iona advances to Sunday’s semifinal round and will face the winner of No. 4 Monmouth University and No. 5 Canisius College at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN3.