NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The No. 2 Iona College men’s basketball team earned its league record ninth Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship tonight in a 79-76 victory over No. 1 Monmouth at the Times Union Center. The Gaels earned the MAAC’s automatic bid for the 2016 NCAA Championship and will await its destiny on Selection Sunday in six days (Mar. 13). Coupled with the women’s program winning its first-ever MAAC title earlier in the day, Iona College became the third athletic program to claim both crowns in the same season.
Senior A.J. English – the MAAC Championship Most Outstanding Performer – led five Gaels in double-digit scoring with 19 points while recording five assists and two steals. Senior Isaiah Williams added 17 points and five rebounds, junior Jordan Washington had a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double and sophomore Deyshonee Much posted 15 points in the win. Williams and Washington were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Gaels took the lead with 1:40 remaining in the second half following an English jumper that made the score 73-71. After getting a defensive stop, Much was fouled and made 1-of-2 free throw attempts to make it a three-point game. Monmouth’s Je’lon Hornbeak matched the effort on the free throw line on the next possession to cut it to 74-72. On Iona’s next turn, Much got threw the defense and converted a conventional three-point play to give the Gaels a five point advantage. A quick layup by the Hawks was followed by an Iona turnover. Two free throws by Deon Jones put the score at 77-76 with 21 seconds left. Aaron Rountree was fouled on the inbound and converted both free throws and Iona led 79-76. Monmouth called its final turnover and English stole the ball from Jones on a drive to the basket to seal the win.
Hornbeak led Monmouth with 20 points, shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from the field with five three-pointers. MAAC Player of the Year Justin Robinson had 14 points and four assists while the MAAC Rookie of the Year, Micah Seaborn, posted 10 in the loss.
It is Iona’s third trip to the NCAA Championship in six seasons under head coach Tim Cluess. The Maroon & Gold earned an at-large bid in 2012 and automatic bid after a MAAC Championship run in 2013. The Gaels were the regular season champions in 2014 and 2015 and competed in the National Invitation Tournament.
