ALBANY, NY – Gavin Doty and Francis Folefac each delivered double-doubles as Siena Basketball overcame a double-digit deficit to secure a sixth straight win with a 79-72 triumph over archrival Iona in a nationally televised showdown at MVP Arena.
 
Doty scored 25 points and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds to continue his dominance of Iona (14-10, 6-7). In four career games vs. the Gaels, the sophomore is now averaging 21.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.3 steals.
 
Folefac added his second collegiate double-double as the freshman tallied 17 points and career-highs of 12 rebounds and three blocks for Siena (17-7, 10-3), which scored 13 unanswered midway through the second half to snap a six-game losing streak in the series.
 
Toby Harris led four in double figures for Iona with 20 points on 7-11 shooting including 6-9 from three for the Gaels which made 14 threes. C.J. Anthony contributed 14 points and five assists for Iona which has dropped five straight road games.
 
Meeting for the third time in five years in a nationally televised showcase at MVP Arena, the two most storied programs in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference history put on a show for those both at home and in the stands.
 
An early track meet favored the Gaels who led by as many as 10 points in the final seconds of the first half. Iona shot 62% in the opening stanza including 10-17 (59%) from three to claim a 47-40 lead at the break.
 
But the Saints defense, which has been an underrated staple all season long, achieved a big bounce back effort in the second half. Siena held the Gaels to just 31% shooting over the final 20 minutes including only 4-14 (29%) from three to rally back.
 
The Saints rattled off a decisive 13-point spurt over 4:42 to secure their first lead of the night at 63-57 with 8:04 remaining. Iona tied one final time at 65-all, and a Harris three cut the Siena lead to 73-72 with 1:29 remaining.
 
But the Saints, who had suffered each of their past three losses in the series by three points or less and by a total of just eight points, weren't about to let history repeat itself. Folefac answered with a big basket on the ensuing possession and, after a stop, made two clutch free throws as Siena overcame its biggest deficit of the season to win.
 
Reigning MAAC Player of the Week Justice Shoats tallied 18 points and five assists for the Saints, whose three latest wins in the series have now come in nationally televised matchups on ESPNU in Albany in 2022, 2023, and now 2026.
 
Siena has little time to savor the rivalry win, as the Saints turn right back around to battle Saint Peter's Saturday at 2 p.m. in Jersey City in a bout between the two teams currently tied for second place in the MAAC Standings.