JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — Saint Peter’s used a dominant second half to defeat Iona 77-63 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball on Monday afternoon at Yanitelli Center. The Peacocks, who trailed 33-30 at halftime, outscored the Gaels 47-30 after the break. Lucas Scroggins led Saint Peter’s with 12 points and seven rebounds. Denver Anglin scored 15 points for Iona, while Lamin Sabally added nine points and 10 rebounds. Saint Peter’s improved to 11-6 overall. Iona fell to 12-8. An announced crowd of 564 attended.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — Saint Peter’s used a dominant second-half surge to pull away from Iona for a 77-63 victory in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday afternoon at a sparsely attended Yanitelli Center. The Peacocks, who trailed by three at halftime, outscored the visiting Gaels 47-30 after the break. The decisive run was fueled by a combination of stifling interior defense, efficient offense and a significant disparity at the free-throw line. Saint Peter’s shot 27 of 36 from the charity stripe, while Iona managed just 12 of 22. The game’s most critical sequence came early in the second half, erasing Iona’s momentum for good. After Denver Anglin’s 3-pointer gave Iona a 36-32 lead with 19:04 remaining, Saint Peter’s responded with a devastating 13-0 run over the next three and a half minutes. The burst was capped by consecutive 3-pointers from Zaakir Williamson and Adetokunbo Bakare, forcing an Iona timeout with the Peacocks leading 45-36. Iona never recovered. The Gaels, who shot just 35.7% from the field for the game, went cold during that stretch and could not mount a sustained challenge thereafter. Saint Peter’s maintained its offensive efficiency, posting a 105.3 offensive rating on 73 possessions, and its defense held Iona to a 93.4 rating. Lucas Scroggins led a balanced Saint Peter’s attack with 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench, providing crucial energy during the second-half separation. Brent Bland added 11 points and nine rebounds, while Zaakir Williamson contributed 13 points, three rebounds and three blocks in just 20 minutes. Jahki Gupton and Adetokunbo Bakare each scored 11 points, with Bakare hitting three 3-pointers. For Iona, Denver Anglin scored a team-high 15 points, all from beyond the arc, and Toby Harris added 14. Lamin Sabally narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. The Gaels’ offense was hampered by poor ball movement, registering only five assists against seven turnovers. The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring eight lead changes. Iona built its largest lead at 24-18 following a 3-pointer from C.J. Anthony, but Saint Peter’s closed the half on a 12-9 spurt to trim the deficit to 33-30 at the intermission. Saint Peter’s improved to 11-6 overall and strengthened its position in the MAAC. Iona fell to 12-8, dropping its second consecutive conference game after a Jan. 14 loss at Rider. The Peacocks’ defense was a constant factor, recording six steals and five blocks. Iona’s inability to generate easy shots inside was epitomized by Williamson’s and Scroggins’ rim protection. The victory also marked a significant swing in projected outcome, as Saint Peter’s entered the game with just a 56.3% probability to win according to National Statistical’s ELO system. Iona will look to rebound at home against Merrimack on Thursday. Saint Peter’s travels to face Merrimack on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in New Rochelle on Feb. 20.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — A pivotal Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference clash awaits Monday afternoon when the Iona Gaels visit the Saint Peter’s Peacocks at Yanitelli Center. The Gaels (12-7, 3-3 MAAC), coming off a 72-68 road loss at Rider on Wednesday, look to regain momentum against a surging Saint Peter’s squad (10-6, 4-1 MAAC) that has won three straight, including a 69-58 home victory over Rider on Saturday. The matchup features two of the league’s standout performers. Iona is led by guard CJ Anthony, who is averaging 12.8 points and 6.8 assists over his last six games. He nearly posted a double-double in the loss to Rider with 14 points and nine assists. His playmaking will be central to Iona’s offensive flow. Saint Peter’s counters with forward Zaakir Williamson, a force in the paint coming off a dominant 20-point, 11-rebound performance against Rider. Over his last seven games, Williamson has averaged 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds while serving as a defensive anchor. Iona’s season has been marked by volatility, including a stunning 83-38 loss at Marist on Jan. 4, but also key wins over Siena and Niagara. The Gaels’ backcourt, featuring Anthony and Toby Harris (15 points vs. Rider), will test the Peacocks’ perimeter defense. Saint Peter’s has found consistency with a physical, defensive identity under coach Bashir Mason. Since a Dec. 29 road win at Fairfield, the Peacocks have gone 5-1, with their only blemish a five-point loss at Mount St. Mary’s. Their defense allows just 62.2 points per game at home. The game is the first of a regular-season series, with the rematch scheduled for Feb. 20 at Iona. Monday’s contest offers Saint Peter’s a chance to solidify its position near the top of the MAAC standings, while Iona aims to climb back to .500 in conference play. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST.