LEWISTON, N.Y. (AP)—Gary Springer led Iona with 16 points as the Gaels defeated Niagara 71-65 on Thursday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Gallagher Center.
Milan Prodanovic added 11 points for Iona (8-10, 3-4 MAAC) while Scott Machado and Rashon Davis each scored 10 points.
Niagara (13-5, 4-2 MAAC) was led by Bilal Benn, who had game-high totals of 18 points and 13 rebounds while Tyrone Lewis added 17 points. Anthony Nelson netted 11 points.
The Gaels took a 17-12 lead when Jermel Jenkins drove and hit a short jump shot in the lane at 12:29. Iona, which had eight of 10 players score in the first half, held a 33-29 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the teams traded points before Machado drove the lane to give the Gaels a 59-58 lead with 4:06 to play. Springer then gave Iona a 63-58 lead with a conventional three-point play with 1:33 to go.
