NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Iona Gaels used a powerful second-half surge to defeat the Canisius Golden Griffins 74-48 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Hynes Center. Iona led 30-25 at halftime before outscoring Canisius 44-23 after the break, pulling away decisively. The victory improved Iona’s record to 12-6 overall, while Canisius fell to 8-9. A crowd of 1,732 watched as the Gaels comfortably covered the pregame spread. The combined 122 points fell well under the posted over/under. Lamin Sabally, CJ Anthony and Denver Anglin were key contributors for Iona. Mike Evbagharu and Bryan Ndjonga led the effort for Canisius.

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Iona Gaels used a dominant second-half performance fueled by efficient offense and stifling defense to pull away from the Canisius Golden Griffins for a 74-48 victory in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball action Sunday at Hynes Center. A five-point halftime lead ballooned quickly after the break as Iona outscored Canisius 44-23 in the final 20 minutes. The Gaels shot a scorching 29 of 54 from the field for the game, including 13 of 28 from 3-point range, while holding the Golden Griffins to a frigid 18-of-61 shooting performance. The most important sequence of the game occurred early in the second half, turning a competitive contest into a decisive Iona advantage. Leading 32-30 with just over 16 minutes remaining, the Gaels erupted with a 15-2 run over the next four minutes. The surge was keyed by Denver Anglin, who hit a 3-pointer and a layup, and Lamin Sabally, who assisted on three consecutive baskets. The run was capped by a Toby Harris 3-pointer, pushing Iona’s lead to 47-32 and effectively silencing any Canisius comeback hopes. Iona’s balanced attack was led by Anglin, who finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. CJ Anthony added 12 points and six assists, while Kosy Akametu also chipped in 12 points. Sabally controlled the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds to go with six points and four assists. The Gaels’ interior defense was formidable, recording eight blocks, led by Alliou Fall’s four. Canisius, which entered the game having won three of its last four, struggled offensively throughout. Mike Evbagharu was the only Golden Griffin in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds. The team’s offensive rating of 77.7 on 62 possessions underscored its difficulties against Iona’s defensive pressure. Iona improved to 12-6 overall and 3-1 in the MAAC, while Canisius fell to 8-9 and 3-2. The announced attendance was 1,732. The game’s tempo was set early by missed shots, with both teams combining to start 0 for 7 from the field before Canisius’s Myles Wilmoth broke the ice with a layup nearly 90 seconds in. The first half was a ragged affair featuring 19 total turnovers, but Iona managed to carve out a 30-25 lead at intermission despite its own ball-security issues. Any chance for a Canisius rally was extinguished by its cold shooting to start the second half and Iona’s immediate explosive run. The Golden Griffins managed only two field goals in the first seven minutes after halftime as the Gaels built their insurmountable lead. Iona’s ball movement and shot selection proved superior, as evidenced by its 117.7 offensive rating. The Gaels also capitalized on their size advantage, outscoring Canisius 30-20 in the paint and converting 10 points off 13 Golden Griffin turnovers. Canisius will look to rebound when it hosts Niagara on Wednesday. Iona hits the road for its next contest, facing Rider on Wednesday.

Canisius Seeks Road Upset Against Iona in MAAC Clash NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Iona Gaels look to rebound from a lopsided defeat and protect their home court when they host the Canisius Golden Griffins in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Sunday at Hynes Center. Iona (10-6) enters the contest following a stunning 83-38 road loss to Marist last Sunday, a performance it will be eager to erase. Prior to that, the Gaels had won three of their previous four, including a 75-72 league victory over Siena. Guard CJ Anthony has been a consistent catalyst for Iona, averaging 12.8 points and 5.0 assists over his last five games. He dished out 13 assists in the win over Siena. Canisius (7-8) has shown resilience, winning its last two games in close fashion over Fairfield and Sacred Heart to even its conference record. The Golden Griffins are led by forward Bryan Ndjonga, who is averaging 13.0 points and 4.0 rebounds this season. He was pivotal in the recent wins, scoring 19 points with seven rebounds against Sacred Heart and 18 points against Fairfield. Support comes from guard Kahlil Singleton, who poured in a team-high 20 points in the latest victory. The matchup pits Iona’s stronger overall record against a Canisius squad gathering momentum. The Gaels will aim to leverage their home-court advantage and rectify their defensive effort after allowing Marist to shoot 56% from the field. Canisius, meanwhile, will rely on its recent late-game execution and Ndjonga’s interior presence to challenge the favored Gaels. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They will meet again in Buffalo on Feb. 13. Following this game, Iona travels to face Rider on Wednesday. Canisius returns home to host Niagara on Wednesday.