Feb. 5, 2006

Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.-Juniors James Smith (Nyack, N.Y.) and Jared Jordan (Hartford, Conn.) teamed with redshirt sophomore Ryan Stilphen (Bay Village, Ohio) for 59 of Marist's 87 points in an 87-81 victory over the Iona men's basketball squad Sunday afternoon at the Hynes Center. Marist improved to 14-7 overall and 8-5 in the MAAC with the win, while the Gaels dropped to 16-5 overall and 10-3 in the league.

Smith scored 24 of his career-high 27 points in the first half and connected on 10-for-15 from the field with five 3-pointers for the game. Jordan finished just one rebound shy of a double-double with 16 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds. The 6'2 guard came into the game leading the nation in percentage of team minutes played and second in assists at 8.3.

Stilphen finished the contest with 16 points and eight boards on 7-for-11 shooting from the field, including a clutch 3-pointer down the stretch to help put the Gaels away. Junior Will Whittington was the last Marist player to post double digits with 12 points.

Iona was led by Steve Burtt's 28 points on 8-for-18 shooting (4-for-7 from 3-point range). Ricky Soliver (14), Kiril Wachsmann (12), Marvin McCullough (12) and Gary Springer (10) also posted double figures for the Gaels, who dropped into a tie for first in the league with Manhattan (14-7, 10-3 MAAC). McCullough led Iona with seven assists, while Soliver had three steals.

Marist controlled the action for most of the first half, taking its biggest lead on a dunk by junior Miles Orman (Englewood, N.J.) to make the score 46-31 at the 2:07 mark of the first half.

Iona tried desperately in the second half to close the 12-point halftime advantage (50-38), and pulled to within one on a free throw by Soliver with 1:58 to play (78-77). However, Stilphen drilled a 3-pointer, his second of the season, with the shot clock running down to give Marist an 81-77 lead with 1:20 to play. Marist clinched the game with two free throws apiece from Jordan and Whittington.

The Red Foxes also held a commanding 38-25 advantage on the boards and a 24-13 edge in assists.

For the game, the Red Foxes hit on 54.5 percent (30-for-55), while Iona sank 51.7 percent (30-for-58). Marist also hit 10-for-22 (45.5 percent) from the 3-point arc, while Iona hit 61.5 percent (8-for-13). The Red Foxes also connected on 77.3 percent (17-for-22) from the free throw line, while Iona went 13-for-22 (59.1 percent).

Marist will face Rider on Wednesday in the McCann Center at 7:30 p.m.