Campus Watch

Iona 63, Niagara 60

How Iona Won:  Gaels cherished the basketball in second half, committing just four turnovers after giving it away 11 times in the opening 20 minutes. Ball security, combined with  a 41-32 rebounding advantage, limited Niagara’s chances in transition. And the Purple Eagles aren’t the same team when forced to operate out of the half-court set.

Turning Point: Niagara went on a 11-0 burst to lead, 47-37. Iona came right back with nine straight points, five of them by Rashon Dwight, to close within one with about nine minutes remaining.

Player of the Game:  Iona sophomore guard Scott Machado had 12 points, six rebounds, six assists and scored the winning basket.

Stat of the Game:  Niagara shot 3 of 16 from three. Live behind the arc, die behind the arc.

He Said It: “Personally I like to play over there at Niagara. I love the fans. The fans were crazy. They got one of the best fan bases in America I would say. So it was a little different atmosphere. – Iona forward Alejo Rodriguez on the HSBC setting..

In the House:  2,616 for the doubleheader. The weather couldn’t have helped.

Up Next:  Niagara gets Fairfield at 7 p.m. Monday in the Gallagher Center. Iona is at Canisius at 7 Monday.

-- Bob DiCesare