SYRACUSE, NY – No. 5 Syracuse held off a late run by the Iona College men’s basketball team in an 83-77 decision in non-conference action at the Carrier Dome. Junior Mike Glover (Bronx, NY) continued his stellar play, pouring in a game-high 25 points while completing his sixth straight double-double with 16 rebounds. Junior Scott Machado (Queens, NY) also posted a double-double with 11 points and 13 assists in the loss. A six-point halftime lead was the difference as the Gaels and Orange both scored 46 points in the second frame.
The Orange led by as much as 15 in the second half with 4:40 left in the half. A 10-1 run was sparked by two Kyle Smyth (River Edge, NJ) three-pointers and a third by Machado to cut the lead to six. The Maroon & Gold got as close as five points with two Machado free throws with 25 seconds left. With a seven point lead, Syracuse forced a crucial turnover and converted two free throws to build an 83-74 advantage with 17 seconds to play. Freshman Sean Armand (Brooklyn, NY) hit a three ball to cut the deficit to six and 12 ticks remaining. After a quick foul and two missed free throws by the Orange, Smyth missed a three and the rebound went out of bounds as time expired.
Glover’s 25 points came on 9-for-11 shooting from the field. His 16 rebounds was one short of his season-high set against Richmond exactly one month ago. Glover leads the MAAC with his 22.4 points per game and is now averaging over 10 rebounds per game at 10.2. Smyth hit the 20-point mark for the second time this season, scoring 22 with five trifectas and had 19 points to lead the Gaels in the second half. It was his second-highest single game scoring total in his two years in Maroon & Gold, one more than his output at the BIG EAST’s Providence last season.
Machado recorded his fifth 10+ assist total in the last seven games and his fourth double-double of the season. He upped his assist average to 8.5 per game and now leads all NCAA Div. I players with the average. Machado surpassed UAB’s Aaron Johnson who returns to the court for the Blazers tomorrow after the team’s 14-day layoff from competition. Senior forward Alejo Rodriguez (New York, NY) had a solid effort with six points, six rebounds and a career-best four assists in the loss. Armand added seven points and junior Jermel Jenkins (Union, NJ) had six for the Maroon & Gold.
Iona’s 77 points marked the highest scoring output of the season against unbeaten Syracuse’s vaunted 2-3 zone defense. The Gaels shot 36.7% from the field but were 15-of-21 (71.4%) from inside the three-point line. The team shot 11-for-37 from downtown, setting a single-game program record for three-point attempts. Iona out rebounded a much bigger Syracuse team 32-21 and matched a season-best with 24 assists to just 12 turnovers. Junior Kris Joseph led the Orange with 21 points. Sophomore Brandon Triche netted 14 points and seven assists while senior Rick Jackson was held well under his season averages with eight points and eight rebounds.
The Gaels return home to the Hynes Center on Wednesday (Dec. 22) evening when they host Vermont in the second game of a doubleheader with the women’s squad at 7:30 pm. The Iona women take on Fordham at 5:00 pm.
ICGAELS.COM
