Iona Sprints Past Men's Basketball

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Iona forward Alejo Rodriguez posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and the host Gaels shot 50 percent from 3-point range as Iona dropped Canisius 72-53 Monday night in the Hynes Athletic Center. The win was the Gaels eighth straight and improved the team to 17-6 overall and 9-3 in the MAAC, while the Golden Griffins dropped to 11-12 overall and 6-6 in league play.

For Canisius, Julius Coles, Elton Frazier and Frank Turner scored 11 points apiece in the loss, with Frazier adding a team-high nine rebounds. Tomas Vazquez-Simmons was good for eight points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the loss for the Blue and Gold, which shot 38.8 percent from the field and turned the ball over 21 times, resulting in 19 Iona points.

“Iona came out and shot the ball well and we didn't get the normal offensive contribution we're accustomed to from some key guys,” Canisius head coach Tom Parrotta said. “For us, it starts and ends with defense, and we didn't get it done there. We'll look at the tape and get right back to work."

The Griffs led early at 9-2 when Frazier connected on a jumper in the lane just 3:08 into the ball. But from there, the Gaels took control, using a 22-5 run over a span of 6:59, capped by a 3-point field goal by Iona guard Kyle Smyth. Iona took a 38-24 lead into the half after the host team shot 43.6 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from behind the arc.

The Griffs were able to cut into Iona's hold early in the second half with a 6-0 run that made the score 45-31 with 15:34 left in the game. The Blue and Gold whittled the Gaels' cushion to 10 at 52-42 on two made free throws by Greg Logins with 10:11, but Iona answered one more time with five-straight points by sophomore Scott Machado that made the score 57-42 with eight minutes left.

Freshman Mike McFadden chipped in 12 points for Iona which saw 11 of the 13 players to see action score at least two points. Robert Goldsberry chipped in five points and four assists in the loss, while Logins was credited with six points.

The Griffs will return to action Friday when the team plays at Niagara. Game time in the Gallagher Center is set for 7 p.m.

Game Notes: Iona now leads the all-time series 28-26 as the teams split the season series this year... Turner passed Bill O'Connor and moved into fourth place on the all-time scoring list... Turner also had three assists, giving him 500 career assists to match the career total of Bam Moore... Vazquez-Simmons moved into a tie with Micheal Meeks for first place on the career blocks list as Vazquez-Simmons now has 183 career blocks in two-plus seasons... Canisius falls to 1-5 this season in games played on Monday

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Players Mentioned

#15 Julius Coles: G; 6' 4"; Junior

#24 Elton Frazier: F; 6' 6"; Junior

#3 Robert Goldsberry: G; 6' 0"; Junior

#00 Greg Logins: F; 6' 7"; Junior

#1 Frank Turner: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#42 Tomas Vazquez-Simmons: F; 6' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#15 Julius Coles
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

#24 Elton Frazier
: 6' 6"; Junior
: F

#3 Robert Goldsberry
: 6' 0"; Junior
: G

#00 Greg Logins
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F

#1 Frank Turner
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#42 Tomas Vazquez-Simmons
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F