A Gael Game Thriller

by; Matthew George

What an absolute nail-biter as the Iona Gaels Men’s Basketball team took down the Rider Broncs on Friday night. Isaiah Ross come up big time in the clutch and knocked down a three pointer at the top of the key with 12 seconds remaining, which gave the Gaels a one-point lead and the victory; 70-69 was the final score at the Hynes Athletic Center. Iona has now won five of their last six MAAC conference games.

Gaels game into the game on Friday after a heartbreaking loss on the road at the Times Union Center against the Siena Saints 65-64. They wanted to take advantage of being back in their home court. It was a back-and-forth affair between the Broncs and the Gaels. The Gaels managed to hit five three pointers in the first half compared to Rider’s one of six made. One major difference maker between these teams was their defensive. Iona Guard Ben Perez came up big with three of Iona’s eight blocks for the game to go along with three steals. On the other hand, Rider only had one block for the entire game.

EJ Crawford lead the way with 22 points and nine assists on solid efficiency from the field. Isaiah Ross, the hero for the Gaels for this game, scored 16 points hitting four of right from downtown, including the game-winning three pointer that sealed the victory. “I knew it was good going off my hands, we have a great point guard in Isaiah Washington,” Ross said. Tajuan Agee had 17 points, six rebounds, and two blocks; however, he got into major foul trouble and eventually fouled out of the game with 2:35 left in the game. Isaiah Washington put up 10 points, five assists, and 7 rebounds.

Tyere Marshall lead the Broncs with a double-double, 18 points and 14 rebounds. Dimencio Vaughn and Stevie Jordan had 15 points. However, the team struggled as a whole only going four of 15 from three-point land.

The Gaels now sit in fifth place in the MAAC conference standings with an even 8-8 record, just a half-game behind the fourth seeded Rider, and 10-13 overall. They will head on the road to Buffalo to take on Canisius on Thursday and then go to Lewiston against Niagara on Saturday.