Iona Pulls Away with 22-0 First-Half Run to Defeat Niagara 71-53

NEW ROCHELLE, NY (January 9, 2026) — Iona University used a decisive 22-0 first-half run to earn a 71-53 win over Niagara in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Hynes Center.

Niagara’s Justin Page connected on a three-pointer with 16:59 remaining in the first half to tie the game at 7-7. From there, the Gaels took control, holding the Purple Eagles scoreless for the next 10 minutes and 26 seconds while rattling off 22 consecutive points. The surge featured six different scorers, including five points apiece from Lamin Sabally and graduate Luke Jungers.

During the run, Iona shot 7-for-14 from the field, knocked down three shots from beyond the arc, and went 5-for-6 at the free throw line. Niagara missed all nine of its field goal attempts in the stretch and committed four of its seven first-half turnovers. The Gaels stretched the margin to 29-7 with 7:51 left, the largest lead of the opening half.

Niagara answered with eight straight points to pull within 14 with under five minutes remaining, but Iona closed the half firmly in control, carrying a 41-22 advantage into the break.

Still holding a 19-point cushion with 10:40 to play, Jungers and graduate CJ Anthony sparked another surge, combining for three consecutive three-pointers as part of a 9-0 run that pushed the lead to a game-high 66-38. Niagara scored 12 of the next 13 points, but the Purple Eagles never closed the gap to fewer than 17 the rest of the way.

Five Iona players scored in double figures, led by Sabally with 14 points and 10 rebounds for his team-leading fifth double-double of the season. Kosy Akametu added 12 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the year — the second time this season both he and Sabally reached the mark — along with three steals, three assists and zero turnovers. Luke Jungers scored 11 points, going 3-for-4 from three-point range, while CJ Anthony and Denver Anglin each added 10 points. Anthony led the team with five assists.

For Niagara (4-11 overall, 1-4 MAAC), Justin Page led with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Reggie Prudhomme scored 11 points.

Iona (11-6 overall, 3-3 MAAC) shot 44.8% from the field, including 8-for-27 from three-point range, and held a 42-30 rebounding advantage (13-10 on the offensive boards), leading to an 11-6 edge in second-chance points. The Gaels had 16 assists against nine turnovers and held Niagara to 33.3% shooting (6-for-27 from three).

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.