NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Deyshonee Much recorded a career-high 32 points to help lead the Iona College men’s basketball team to a 84-65 victory against visiting Fairfield this afternoon inside the Hynes Center. The contest was the second of three MAAC games for the Gaels (9-7, 3-1 MAAC).
The Rochester native played 36 minutes off the bench to record his 32 points on 9-of-13 shooting that included six 3-pointers. He also matched a career-high seven assists while grabbing six rebounds and three steals. Much was one of five Gaels in double-figures as TK Edogi notched his fourth double-double of the year with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Rickey McGill matched Much with seven assists to go along with his 13 points, four rebounds and two steals. Schadrac Casimir posted 11 points and three assists while Jan Svandrlik ended with 10 points and three rebounds.
Fairfield (6-9, 1-3 MAAC) scored the first five points of the contest before Iona built a seven-point margin at 20-13 following a 12-4 run, highlighted by two made 3-pointers from Much. The Stags responded with a 9-0 run to regain the advantage and later led by as many as five points with under six minutes remaining in the half. The back-and-forth continued as the Maroon & Gold jumped back ahead by six points on an Edogi layup and free throw with less than two minutes to go in the half. Ferron Flavors Jr. connected on a 3-pointer on the next possession to bring Fairfield within three points at halftime, 37-34.
Much posted 15 of his points in the opening 20 minutes, going 5-for-7 from long range. The Gaels controlled a 21-14 rebounding margin in the first period in addition to 11 assists on 13 made field goals. Fairfield took advantage of eight Iona turnovers towards 12 points.
In less than four minutes into the second half, the Maroon & Gold turned a three-point halftime margin into a 13-point lead with a 14-4 run. Fairfield was able to cut the margin to single digits twice throughout the second half, however, Iona closed out the victory by outscoring the visitors 15-3 in the final five minutes. The run included a perfect 8-for-8 effort at the free throw line, four of which came from Much who put the last touches on the final score with a dunk after a Svandrlik steal.
MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Tyler Nelson led the Stags’ effort with 16 points while Flavors added 13 points. Jonathan Kasibabu joined the pair in double-figures with 10 points.
Iona ended the afternoon with a 44-26 rebounding edge, the largest rebounding margin since a plus-20 performance (54-34) in a 73-59 victory at Saint Peter’s on February 25, 2011. The Gaels also dished out 21 assists, second most on the season. Furthermore, the Maroon & Gold recorded 45 points off the bench as C.J. Seaforth added a 3-pointer to the total of Much and Svandrlik.
Looking ahead, Iona welcomes Siena on Thursday for the third of four straight homes games. The contest is the first game between the two programs since the 2017 MAAC Championship last March. Tip off is scheduled for 7 pm.