NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College’s basketball team improved to 2-0 in December Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play in a 101-66 win over Marist at McCann Arena. Five Gaels recorded double-digit scoring totals led by junior Jordan Washington’s 21 points in the victory.
Senior Isaiah Williams drained his second of five first half three-point field goals at the 14:27 mark to give Iona a 12-11 advantage which they would not relinquish. The shot came in the middle of a decisive 22-2 run over a 5:03 span in the first half capped by junior Taylor Bessick’s layup to make the score 29-13 with 9:42 remaining in the frame. The Maroon & Gold also scored 14 straight points during the stretch. Iona doubled up Marist at the half 52-26.
The Gaels largest lead of the contest was 42 on another Bessick layup with 10:12 to play at 80-38.
Washington shot 8-of-10 from the field and 5-of-9 from the foul line to account for his 21 points. He added two rebounds and a block in 18 minutes of play. Sophomore Deyshonee Much had 19 points, shooting 8-for-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc with two rebounds and two assists.
Williams had a monster night, scoring 18 points with nine rebounds, an assist, steal and a block in just 20 minutes of action due to the game margin.
Senior A.J. English followed up his historic 46-point, 13 three-point field goal, eight assist effort from Tuesday night was an efficient and impressive stat line. The Gaels leading scorer scored 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 4-of-4 from the line. He recorded nine assists, six rebounds, three blocks and three steals in a season-low 31 minutes.
Senior Taylor Bessick posted 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench. He was credited with two blocks but his defensive presence down low altered several other scoring chances for the Red Foxes and was integral in the Gaels success in building the early lead.
Senior Ibn Muhammad had seven points, three assists and two steals with no turnovers. Freshman guard Jahaad Proctor had four points, four assists and two steals with no turnovers. Graduate Aaron Rountree also had four assists in the win.
The Gaels shot 63.3% from the field in the game, converting 38-of-60 shot attempts. They hit 12 three pointers with 24 assists and just nine turnovers. For the fifth time in school history and second time under Cluess, the Maroon & Gold scored 100 or more points in back-to-back games. The last time came on Nov. 23 and 28, 2011 vs. Saint Joseph’s and LIU Brooklyn at the Hynes Center.
Junior Khallid Hart and Brian Parker were the Red Foxes leading scorers with 18 and 16 respectively.
The Gaels return to non-conference play next Tuesday (Dec. 8) at the American Conference’s Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane earned impressive wins over Wichita State and Oklahoma State this season as the welcome the Iona to their home arena. Tipoff is slated for 9:00 pm ET and can be seen live on ESPN3.