Preview: Rider Looks to Build on Rare Win at Iona NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Rider Broncs, fresh off just their fourth win of a difficult season, will try to secure a season sweep when they visit the Iona Gaels in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Friday night. The matchup at Hynes Athletic Center pits two teams heading in opposite directions in the final stretch of the regular season. Iona (16-13) remains in contention for a favorable seeding in the upcoming MAAC tournament, while Rider (4-23) is attempting to build momentum after snapping a five-game skid with a 67-62 victory over Niagara on Sunday. That win was powered by a strong performance from Rider’s standout guard, Flash Burton. The junior scored 20 points and dished out six assists in 35 minutes, continuing a run of prolific scoring. Over his last eight games, Burton is averaging 18.6 points, including a 25-point, six-rebound effort in the Broncs’ 81-78 win over Saint Peter’s on Feb. 1. Iona will counter with its own high-scoring guard, CJ Anthony. The senior is coming off a marathon performance in a double-overtime loss at Merrimack last Sunday, where he logged 43 minutes and finished with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. Anthony has scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games and will be a primary focus for Rider’s defense. The Gaels have experienced recent frustration, losing three of their last four, though two of those defeats came in overtime. They will be eager to avenge a 72-68 loss at Rider on Jan. 14, a game where Burton led the Broncs with 15 points. For Rider, the January victory over Iona represents one of the few bright spots in a season marked by offensive struggles. The Broncs have been held under 60 points in four of their last ten games. Sustaining offense beyond Burton will be critical; in the win over Niagara, Shemani Fuller added 16 points and Davis Bynum had 14. Iona’s recent outings have been tight, with four of its last five games decided by five points or fewer. The Gaels will look to leverage their home court advantage, where they are 9-5 this season, to solidify their tournament positioning and avoid a damaging sweep by the conference’s last-place team. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. Following this game, Rider travels to face Siena on Sunday, while Iona will visit Manhattan.