NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College men’s basketball team never trailed and pulled away in the second half in an 89-67 win over Marist in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Hynes Center. Freshman Schadrac Casimir exploded for 33 points with the help of nine three-point field goals and junior David Laury and sophomore Ryden Hines each posted double-doubles to lead the Gaels to their fifth straight victory while keeping an unblemished 11-0 mark in New Rochelle.
Casimir recorded his second 30+ point effort of the season with his game-high 33. The nine three-point field goals upped his career-best effort and the Iona single-game freshman record of eight which he hit on two occasions prior.
Laury recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for his 12th double-double of the season. He shot 7-of-13 from the field with two three-pointers and a 4-for-5 effort from the charity stripe. Hines recorded his first collegiate double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. Junior Kelvin Amayo was the fourth Gael to post double-figures with 10 points while adding seven rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal. With 3:24 remaining in the first half, Amayo had an #SCTop10 worthy, highlight reel dunk, launching himself from outside of the paint over a Marist player to get the crowd on its feet and give the Gaels a 38-30 lead. Junior A.J. English had a season-low six points but added 11 assists with just two turnovers in the win. After connecting on two long three-pointers in the first two and a half minutes of the contest, English attempted just five shots the rest of the way including just one in the second half. Junior Ibn Muhammad had five points, four assists and two steals while grad student Jeylani Dublin added four points to round out the Gaels scoring.
Marist was led by senior Chavaughn Lewis’ 24 points. Sophomore Khallid Hart added 19 in the loss.
The Gaels shot 57.9% from the field including 15-of-27 (55.6%) from beyond the arc. It was their second highest three-point field goal output of the season behind the school record 24 hit vs. Delaware State earlier this season. Marist was held to 36.5% from the field. Iona held a 40-31 advantage on the boards and recorded 29 assists, also the second highest output of the season behind its Delaware State total.
The Maroon & Gold embarks on a four-game, 11-day road trip on Tuesday night when they face Fairfield at 8:00 pm at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT in a game that can be seen live on ESPN3.
