GAME OF THE NIGHT: Iona 80, Niagara 79
With a minute to go in regulation, Niagara trailed MAAC-favorite Iona, 75-68. A 9-3 run was capped by Ramone Snowde’s 3-pointer, giving the Purple Eagles their first lead of the game with 12 seconds left. Iona guard A.J. English hurried the ball down the floor, and tripped over Niagara’s Wesley Myers, who had previously hit the deck. Myers was called for a foul, sending English to the free throw line, a call that Chris Casey disputed. English made both free throws, to put the Gaels up 80-79. Karonn Davis’ heave was too strong.
STARRED
A.J. English and David Laury, Iona: English ended with 28 points, seven boards, five assists and two steals. Laury added 25 points and 16 rebounds. The two combined for 53 of Iona’s 80 points.
Emmy Andujar and Shane Richards, Manhattan: The perimeter tandem for 43 points (22 for Andjuar and 21 for Richards) in Manhattan’s overtime road win over St. Peter’s. The duo scored nine of the Jaspers’ 13 points in overtime.
Brent Jones, St. Francis (NY): The senior guard scored 21 of his game-high 23 points after halftime. That offensive surge included an individual run, scoring 11 straight points for the Terriers to put them up 42-41 inside 14 minutes to play in regulation.
STRUGGLED
Western Illinois starting five: The Leathernecks’ starters combined for 5-of-22 shooting for 11 points in a 61-48 loss to North Dakota State.
Siena shooting: Maybe it was an ominous sign when Willem Brandwijk took down the basket with a reverse dunk in warmups. The Saints shot a combined 15-of-51 (29 percent) from the field, being held to a season-low 49 points.
SCORES
- North Dakota State 61, Western Illinois 48
- St. Francis (PA) 79, Sacred Heart 78
- Canisius 83, Siena 49
- Fairfield 60, Marist 54
- Iona 80, Niagara 79
- Manhattan 72, St. Peter’s 65 (OT)
- St. Francis (NY) 68, Robert Morris 63