ALBANY, NY – Adam Njie made the deciding free throw with 2.7 seconds remaining as Iona edged Siena Basketball 74-73 in a physical, sloppy affair at MVP Arena. The teams were whistled for 47 personal fouls, while combining for 49 turnovers.
 
Iona (5-10, 2-2) placed three in double figures – all off the bench – as reserves accounted for 47 of their points. Njie led the way with 13 points and five of the 16 total steals for the Gaels. Iona, which forced 25 turnovers, entered play ranked ninth nationally in turnovers forced (17.0) and 18^th in steals (10.0).
 
Brendan Coyle led all scorers with a career-high 20 points for Siena (7-8, 2-2), which has suffered each of their first two league losses by excruciating one-point margins. Justice Shoats contributed 14 of his 16 points in the second half while dishing out four assists.
 
The 126^th all-time meeting between the archrivals and the two most storied programs in MAAC Basketball history saw the Gaels lead for nearly 35 minutes, albeit in a mostly closely contested affair throughout. The Saints scored six of the final seven first half points to claim a 38-37 lead at the break. Siena shot 52% in the opening half and made 11-15 free throws to help offset 13 turnovers.
 
Iona scored the first six points of the second half and led virtually the rest of the way thereafter. A mini 10-2 run midway through the half pushed the lead to as many as 11 at 61-50 with 10:58 to go.
 
But the Saints, who've proven to be resilient all season, responded once more. Siena scored the next 10 points, and it was game on down the stretch.
 
Leading by four and with the ball with 48 seconds left, the Gaels appeared to be in the driver's seat. But once again there was no quit in the Saints as they nearly forged another last-minute comeback, fueled by forcing four consecutive Iona turnovers in the backcourt.
 
Gavin Doty registered three consecutive steals during the frenetic sequence, and converted a three-point play to rally Siena back within a point with 27.7 seconds remaining. The Saints then forced a tie up on the ensuing inbounds, and Shoats sank the tying free throw to make it 73-all with 13.8 seconds to go.
 
But Siena was whistled for a foul on the next Gaels possession, and Njie made the second free throw to provide the final margin. Siena would get two final chances in the waning seconds, but a turnover and a half court heave at the buzzer wouldn't drop as Iona hung on to prevail for the sixth time in the past seven meetings.
 
Major Freeman finished in double figures for the 14^th time in 15 games with 10 points for the Saints, while Doty was just a point and a rebound shy of his second straight double-double, with nine points and nine rebounds off the bench.
 
Clarence Rupert scored 12 points and Justin Menard added 11 for the Gaels which held a 37-26 rebounding advantage – fueled by 17 offensive rebounds – and a 38-24 margin in the paint. Iona ranks second nationally in offensive rebounding (16.4) and led the MAAC in rebound margin (+4.4) entering the day.
 
Following a stretch where they played four of five at home, Siena next hits the road for the first time in 2025 to begin a stretch where they play four of their next six away from home to close out January. The Saints return to action when they travel to defending MAAC Regular Season Champion and preseason favorite Quinnipiac next Friday night, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. in Hamden, Connecticut.
 
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.