NORTH ANDOVER, MA (Feb. 22, 2026) — The Iona University men’s basketball team rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit but suffered an 88-86 double-overtime loss to Merrimack College on Sunday in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at Lawler Arena.
Trailing by double digits in the second half, the Gaels chipped away and forced extra time before the contest slipped away in the second overtime on the Warriors’ home floor.
Graduate C.J. Anthony paced Iona with a game-high 25 points and added five rebounds and five assists in a performance that included five three-pointers. Luke Jungers scored 20 points — his first 20-point outing of the season — and hit multiple key shots down the stretch and in overtime. Kosy Akametu contributed 16 points and five assists, and Lamin Sabally recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Iona battled back from a 56-41 deficit in the second half, closing the gap with a 27-12 run that saw strong shooting from both Anthony and Toby Harris. Anthony sank a deep three with 2.1 seconds left in regulation to tie it at 68 and send the game into overtime.
In the first extra session, Jungers knocked down a late three to spark Iona, and Akametu hit his team’s first lead of the afternoon. The advantage faded when Andres Marrero of Merrimack hit three free throws with 28 seconds left to tie the score at 77.
Merrimack was led by Kevair Kennedy with 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Ernest Shelton scored 18 points, and Tye Dorset added 15 as six Warriors finished in double figures.
Iona shot 44.1% from the field and connected on 14 three-pointers, while controlling the glass and earning a 45-32 rebounding edge. Merrimack’s free throw shooting proved decisive, as the hosts went 25-for-28 from the line.
The loss dropped the Gaels’ record to 16-13 overall and 8-10 in conference play. They return home Friday to host Manhattan in Senior Night action.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.