NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The
Marist men's basketball team gave the second-place Iona Gaels all they could
take and then some on Sunday night in a late-season MAAC matchup. Down 16
points at one point in the first half, the Red Foxes (9-16, 4-10 MAAC) fought
back to eventually take a second half lead over the host Gaels (20-6, 12-3
MAAC) before ultimately falling by a final score of 83-74. Junior Devin Price
(Inglewood, Calif.) and freshman Chavaughn Lewis (Queens, N.Y.) led the Red
Foxes with 20 points a piece.
After a slow start in which the teams posted a 4-4 score
over the first three minutes, the host Gaels quickly drew out a 16-point
advantage at 23-7 by the 11:34 mark. This served as the largest margin of the
entire game.
In the 2:42 span of play following this point, the Red Foxes
ran off a 7-0 run to get back into the game at 23-14. A three-point basket by sophomore
Jay Bowie (Tampa, Fla.) and an offensive rebound and put-back by red-shirt
sophomore Anell Alexis (Hillsborough, N.J.) highlighted the run.
Three consecutive makes by Iona put the hosts back up by
double digits at 30-16 with 7:40 to go.
The young Red Foxes were undaunted by the veteran Gael squad
and scored 10 straight points to make it a four-point ball game with 5:05 left
in the half. Freshman Manny Thomas (Brooklyn, N.Y.) netted his third and fourth
baskets of the period to lead Marist. Price deposited the first of three
consecutive successful three pointers during the run, as well.
Following back-to-back makes by senior R.J. Hall (East
Orange, N.J.) and Price in the final minute of the half, the Red Foxes went
into the locker room down just four at 42-38.
At the break, both teams were shooting over 50 percent as
the Gaels led slightly at 53.1 (17-32) to 51.6 (16-31). Price was the leading
Red Fox scorer as he registered 11 points on 4-8 shooting from the field and
3-6 from long range. Both Thomas and Bowie shot over 50 percent on their way to
eight and seven point halves, respectively.
After a made Iona basket pushed the early second half lead
to six, eight consecutive points by Marist gave the Red Foxes their first lead
of the game at 46-44. Lewis was the player, who spearheaded this run, as the
freshman book-ended a Price trey with a successful layup and three pointer.
Marist was able to extend their lead to five at 52-47 and
again at 54-49 to take earn their biggest positive margin.
Unfortunately for the Red Foxes, the nation's second-leading
scoring team turned it on with a 13-1 run from the 14:21 point in the game to
the 11:14 mark.
The Red Foxes chipped away over the next four minutes as
they made it a three point game on three occasions. Lewis continued his second
half success during this span with six of Marist's 10 points. In the second
period, he would eventually finish with 15 points.
Iona slowly put distance between themselves and Marist over
the final seven minutes to secure their 20th win on the season.
After 40 minutes, the game went final at 83-74.
For the game, both teams shot high percentages from the
field, though in the end Marist was outshot 53.1 to 46.4. Iona also held
advantages in three point and foul shooting at 56.3 to 38.9 and 85.7 to 78.9.
Individually, Price and Lewis paced Marist with 20 points a
piece. Thomas joined the duo in double figures as he finished with 10 points.
All eight players who appeared in the game for the Red Foxes registered points
and five finished with over seven points.
Bowie led the team with seven rebounds, while Hall led in assists
with five.
Marist will next be in action on Wednesday, Feb. 15 when
they host Loyola at the McCann Arena. The tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
