BURLINGTON, Vt. (Interstat) — Toby Harris scored 26 points to lead Iona to an 83-78 men’s basketball victory over Vermont on Saturday at Roy L. Patrick Gymnasium. The Gaels (9-4) overcame a 40-36 halftime deficit by outscoring the Catamounts 47-38 in the second half before a crowd of 2,180. Harris, who shot efficiently from the floor, keyed the comeback. Vermont (8-6), which was a 4.5-point pregame favorite, was led by Gus Yalden’s 24 points and seven rebounds. TJ Hurley added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Catamounts. Keshawn Williams supported Harris with 20 points for Iona, while Denver Anglin added 14. The combined score fell under the pregame over/under line.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive efficiency and a decisive second-half surge, the Iona Gaels secured a hard-fought 83-78 victory over the Vermont Catamounts in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at a packed Roy L. Patrick Gymnasium. The contest, played before an announced crowd of 2,180, saw Iona overcome a halftime deficit and a hostile road environment by executing at a remarkably high level on offense. The Gaels improved to 9-4 overall, while Vermont dropped to 8-6. The most critical phase of the game unfolded early in the second half. Vermont, which led 40-36 at intermission, saw its advantage quickly evaporate. Iona emerged from the locker room with renewed purpose, stringing together a 13-5 run over the first five minutes to seize control. The spurt was fueled by interior scoring and defensive stops, turning the four-point deficit into a 49-45 lead. Vermont never fully recovered, as Iona’s offensive precision made sustained rallies difficult for the home team. Iona’s victory was anchored by superior shooting and ball security. The Gaels connected on 54.5% of their field goal attempts, going 30 for 55, while holding Vermont to a 44.8% clip on 30-of-67 shooting. From beyond the arc, Vermont launched 31 attempts, making only nine, while Iona was a more selective and effective 6 of 17. The Gaels also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 17 of 24 attempts compared to Vermont’s 9 of 14. A stark disparity in offensive rhythm was evident. Iona scored its 83 points on just 67 possessions, translating to an elite offensive rating of 123.1. Vermont, by contrast, managed 78 points on 70 possessions for a rating of 112.0. Iona also dominated points in the paint, 38-32, and committed only six turnovers, one more than Vermont’s five. Toby Harris led all scorers and was the catalyst for Iona, pouring in 26 points in just 28 minutes of action. His performance, which included a perfect 9-for-9 showing from the free-throw line, was his highest scoring output in his last four games. He was supported by Keshawn Williams, who added 20 points and five rebounds, and Denver Anglin, who chipped in 14 points. Vermont was led by the formidable interior presence of Gus Yalden, a 6-foot-9, 258-pound forward from Appleton, Wisconsin. Yalden finished with 24 points and seven rebounds. TJ Hurley, from Pelham, Canada, posted a near double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds, while point guard Sean Blake of Mississauga, Canada, directed the offense with 12 points and four assists. Defensively, Iona’s rim protection was a key factor. Alliou Fall, a 6-foot-10 center from Stockholm, Sweden, swatted away four shots and altered numerous others, anchoring the Gael defense. Vermont’s Noah Barnett of Poughkeepsie, New York, contributed eight points and a block. The game was a statistical anomaly in terms of ball movement, with both teams combining for only seven total assists—four for Iona and three for Vermont—highlighting a contest dominated by one-on-one creation and offensive rebounds, of which Vermont held a 9-5 edge. The result defied pregame expectations. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Vermont entered with a 67.8% probability to win and was installed as a 4.5-point favorite. The combined score of 161 points also surpassed the over/under line of 152.5. Iona now looks ahead to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schedule, beginning with a road game at Mount Saint Mary’s on Dec. 29. Vermont, of the America East Conference, will travel to face Princeton on Dec. 30 before commencing its league slate.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (Interstat) — Two teams with matching ambitions and nearly identical records will meet Saturday when the Iona Gaels visit the Vermont Catamounts in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tipoff at Roy L. Patrick Gymnasium. Both squads enter at 8-4 overall, seeking momentum before their respective conference schedules intensify. Iona looks to rebound from a 91-64 road loss to Saint John’s on Dec. 13. Vermont arrives with a two-game winning streak after an 83-69 home victory over Siena on Wednesday. The spotlight will be on the backcourt of Iona and the frontcourt of Vermont. Gaels guard CJ Anthony has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 17.0 points and 5.4 assists over his last five games. He scored 20 in the loss to Saint John’s and poured in 26 in a win at Delaware on Dec. 1. Vermont will counter with the interior presence of Gus Yalden. The forward is coming off a career-high 29 points in just 23 minutes against Siena, showcasing efficient scoring prowess. He has averaged 21.2 points over his last five contests, including a 27-point performance in a win at Princeton. Iona’s season has featured notable highs, like a double-overtime win at Oregon State, but also lopsided losses to Quinnipiac and Saint John’s. Vermont has shown similar volatility, with strong wins over Pepperdine and Princeton but double-digit losses to Oregon State and Rhode Island. This contest represents a final major non-conference test for both. Iona begins Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play on Jan. 2. Vermont opens America East Conference action on Jan. 8. The matchup hinges on Iona’s guard-driven tempo against Vermont’s interior strength and home-court advantage, where the Catamounts are 5-2 this season.