NEW ROCHELLE, NY – DeJour Reaves scored a game-high 24 points as Iona fended off a second half Siena Basketball rally to defeat the Saints 72-68 at the Hynes Athletics Center.  
 
Luke Jungers and Adam Njie, Jr. contributed 16 points apiece for Iona (8-12, 5-4) which has won three straight. The top-three scorers for the Gaels combined to shoot 59% (22-37) from the field, while the rest of the squad was just 5-21.
 
Brendan Coyle capped a strong week with his second straight 20-point performance with 22 points, just four off his career-high of 26 set Thursday night. Gavin Doty added his second 20-piece of the season for Siena (9-11, 4-5) which shot just 39% from the field including only 9-27 from three.
 
Iona led for more than 36 minutes as the Saints were plagued by slow starts to begin each half. The Gaels scored the first seven points of the afternoon en route to a 34-31 halftime lead, and opened the second half on a 12-2 run to open as much as a 13-point advantage at 46-33 with 15:55 to go.
 
But for the second time in roughly 40 hours, Coyle connected for a second half three-point barrage to get Siena back in it. After making seven threes in the final stanza Thursday night, Coyle added four more of his five total in the second half, highlighted by back-to-back triples to cap a 15-4 rally and put the Saints temporarily back in front 56-55 with 6:58 left.
 
Consecutive baskets from Njie and Jungers reclaimed the lead for good for Iona at 67-62 with 2:56 to play. The Gaels ultimately built their advantage back to as many as six with exactly a minute to go, but three straight misses from the free throw line – including a pair of front-ends of one-and-ones – left the door ajar for Siena.
 
Doty halved the deficit with a three and the Saints ultimately had a chance to tie in the waning seconds. However, while setting up for the potential game-tying three, Siena was whistled for an offensive foul to seal their fate as Iona completed the regular season series sweep.
 
Justice Shoats rounded out the double figure scorers with 10 points for the Saints who have now dropped five straight and seven of eight against their archrivals, including four in a row in New Rochelle. Myles Wilmoth added seven points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in a spirited effort off the bench for Siena which is now 0-5 against teams predicted to finish ahead of them in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
The Saints conclude a stretch where they play four of six away from home to close out January with a nationally televised primetime showdown next week. Siena battles MAAC leader and I-87 rival Marist Friday at 9 p.m. on ESPNU in Poughkeepsie.
 
This postgame recap is proudly presented by The Brothers that just do Gutters, a proud partner of Siena Athletics. Trust the team that always comes through – on the court and for your home.