BRIDGEPORT, CT— For the second straight game, the Iona College men’s basketball team never trailed in a 72-57 win over Fairfield in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Webster Bank Arena. The Gaels extended their winning streak to a season-long six games with the help of 19 points apiece from junior Kelvin Amayo and freshman Schadrac Casimir.
Fresh off his sixth MAAC Rookie of the Week selection and Iona rookie record nine three pointers, Casimir picked up where he left off in the second half of Iona’s last contest, scoring 13 of his 19 points in the first frame. He shot 7-for-11 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc while adding three rebounds, two assists and three steals. Amayo’s 19 points came on a 9-of-14 shooting effort while posting five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Senior David Laury posted a second straight double-double and his 13th of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Laury added five assists to just one turnover with two blocks. Junior A.J. English had nine points, eight rebounds and six assists and grad student Jeylani Dublin had eight points in the win.
Iona shot over 50% and held its opponent under 40% for the second straight game. The rebounding margin was even at 37-37 and the Gaels held a 15-12 assist advantage.
Fairfield junior Mike Kirkland recorded a 23-point, 13-rebound double-double while sophomore Steve Johnston had 10 points off the bench. Iona held the Stags’ leading scorer Marcus Gilbert to just three points on a three-ball with just under five minutes to play. No. 2 scorer Tyler Nelson had nine points, all in the second half with the Stags trailing by double figures. Nelson torched the Gaels in their last meeting for five three-pointers in New Rochelle.
After a successful three-game, five-day stint, Iona will have two days off befor a highly anticipated matchup at Manhattan on Friday (Feb. 13) at 10:00 pm on ESPNU.