EDISON, NJ (Jan. 31, 2022) – Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men’s basketball conference action for the month of January concluded on Sunday with a full slate of league games. For the second time over the weekend, four of the five home teams were winners, headlined by a matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the MAAC, an overtime thriller in West Long Branch, and a double-digit second half comeback in Albany.
 
Iona (18-3, 10-0 MAAC) – 85 | Saint Peter’s (9-8, 7-3 MAAC) – 77
Hynes Athletics Center | NEW ROCHELLE, NY
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Iona Recap
Saint Peter’s Recap
 
In a meeting between the top- 2 ranked teams in the MAAC, Iona earned a hard-fought 85-77 win over Saint Peter’s inside of the Hynes Center on Sunday. With the win, the Gaels improved to 10-0 in the MAAC and 9-0 at home, while also giving head coach Rick Pitino his 800th career win. Using a balanced scoring attack, five Gaels scored above 10 points; Nelly Junior Joseph (17), Ryan Myers (15), Elijah Joiner (13), Dylan van Eyck (24), and Tyson Jolly (11). Saint Peter’s, which loss only its second game in the month, had the trio of Doug Edert (21), Matthew Lee (20), and KC Ndefo (14) combine to score 55 of the team’s points.
 
Manhattan (11-7, 4-5 MAAC) – 72 | Marist (8-12, 3-8 MAAC) – 66
Draddy Gymnasium | RIVERDALE, NY
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Manhattan Recap
Marist Recap
 
Manhattan got past Marist, 72-66 at Draddy Gym on Sunday MAAC play. The Jaspers held the Red Foxes off of the board over the final 99 seconds to preserve the win. Three players on Manhattan scored in double figures in the win led by Jose Perez game-high 29 points, 16 points from Ant Nelson, and 11 points by Elijah Buchanan. Marist also had three players in double digits, led by 21 points from Jao Ituka, 19 by Ricardo Wright, and 10 from Jordan Jones.
 
Niagara (9-11, 4-7 MAAC) – 70 | Monmouth (13-7, 5-4 MAAC) – 69 OT
OceanFirst Bank Center | WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ
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Niagara Recap
Monmouth Recap
 
In a game full of runs, Niagara edged Monmouth 70-69 in overtime at OceanFirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, NJ. The Purple Eagles held leads as large as 23-9 (first half) and 46-30 (second half) before Monmouth took a one-point lead late in the game which eventually went to OT. Marcus Hammond led all scorers with 27 points, Sam Iorio had a near double-double of 11 points and nine rebounds, and Noah Thomasson chipped in with 10 points for Niagara. Monmouth was led by a 20+ point effort from George Papas.
 
Rider (7-13, 3-7 MAAC) – 70 | Canisius (7-14, 3-7 MAAC) – 62
Alumni Gymnasium | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ
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Rider Recap
Canisius Recap
 
Rider defeated Canisius, 70-62 at Alumni Gym in Lawrenceville on Sunday afternoon. Meeting for the second time in nine days, the Broncs were able to avenge a one-point defeat to the Golden Griffins (70-69) back on Jan. 21. Dwight Murray, Jr. posted a near-triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Allen Powell scored 16 points, and Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson matched his season-high with 13 points for Rider. The Canisius duo of Ahemed Akrum and Jacco Fritz scored 10 points each.
 
Siena (8-8, 5-3 MAAC) – 60 | Quinnipiac (11-8, 6-5 MAAC) – 94
MVP Arena | ALBANY, NY
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Siena Recap
Quinnipiac Recap
 
Siena beat Quinnipiac 85-76 at MVP Arena on Sunday, overcoming a 10-point second half deficit. The Saints used efficient shooting, connecting on 52 percent from the floor and 57 percent from beyond the arc. Colby Rogers set a career-mark with 27 points, while three other Saints scored in double figures with Jackson Stormo (17), Anthony Gaines (14), and Jared Billups (10) chipping in. Leading Quinnipiac was Kevin Marfo with another double-double, tallying 16 points and 17 rebounds, while Dezi Jones added 14 points, Matt Balanc scored 13 points, and Tyrese Williams chipped in with 10 points. 
 
The 2021-22 campaign culminates with the 2022 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships from March 8-12 at Atlantic City's Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Stay up to date with all MAAC basketball by visiting MAACSports.com/basketball and by following @MAACHoops and #MAACHoops on Twitter. The road to AC!
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.