EDISON, NJ (Jan. 7, 2023) – Iona University and Siena College each improved to 4-0 and remain atop of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men’s basketball standings following Friday night’s league action. Canisius College, Niagara University and Quinnipiac University were also victorious on the night, each securing MAAC road wins.
 
Canisius (3-11, 1-4 MAAC) – 64 | Manhattan (4-10, 2-3 MAAC) – 57
Draddy Gymnasium | RIVERDALE, NY
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Canisius Recap
Manhattan Recap
 
Canisius earned a 64-57 win over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium in Riverdale, NY on Friday night in MAAC men’s basketball action. The Golden Griffins snapped their nine-game losing streak with the win, moving to 1-4 in MAAC play, while the Jaspers fell to 2-3 in league action with their third-straight defeat following a 2-0 start. Canisius led by 12 points at the break, but Manhattan was able to overcome the deficit and take the lead in the second half. The Jaspers led by one-point (51-50) with just over four minutes to play, but the Griff outscored Manhattan 14-6 down the stretch to earn their first league win of the season. Canisius sophomore TJ Gadsden scored a career-high 16 points in his first career start and fellow sophomore Xzavier Long added 14 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the victory. Manhattan’s trio of Ant Nelson, Josh Roberts, and Samir Stewart each scored 13 points apiece. 
 
Iona (11-4, 4-0 MAAC) – 84 | Marist (4-9, 0-4 MAAC) – 57
McCann Arena | POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
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Iona Recap
Marist Recap
 
Iona cruised past Marist, 84-57 on the road in MAAC men's basketball play at McCann Arena. Iona improves to a perfect 4-0 in league play, while Marist falls to 0-4. After a seesaw opening seven minutes of action, the Gaels went on a 7-0 run to take an 11-point lead in less than a two minute span. Iona would lead by as many as 13 in the first half, before opening the game up to a lead as large as 29 in the second half. Juniors Daniss Jenkins (23 points, 10 assists) and Nelly Junior Joseph (19 points, 12 rebounds) each had double-doubles to lead Iona, while rookie Cruz Davis (16) and senior Osborn Shema (12) chipped in a double-digit effort for the Gaels. The double-double for Junior Joseph was his third straight and MAAC leading sixth of the season. Patrick Gardner led Marist with 16 points and three assists.
 
Niagara (9-5, 4-1 MAAC) –77 | Fairfield (6-9, 2-3 MAAC) – 69 OT
Leo D. Mahoney Arena | FAIRFIELD, CT
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Niagara Recap
Fairfield Recap
 
Niagara pulled out a 77-69 overtime victory over Fairfield on Friday night in MAAC men's basketball action from Leo D. Mahoney Arena. The Purple Eagles picked up their fourth-straight win and improve to 4-1 in the conference, while the Stags drop to 2-3. Up by a pair at the half, Fairfield opened up a 14-2 run in the early portion of the second half and led by 12 (42-30) with 11:36 to play. Niagara would outscore the Stags 23-10, over the next seven minutes, to take a 53-52 lead with just over four minutes remaining. With the Purple Eagles ahead 59-54, the Stags put together a last minute comeback to force overtime. In the extra period, Niagara outscored the home side 14-6 to earn the road win. Niagara was led by Aaron Gray who finished with a career-high 30 points, followed by Noah Thomasson who collected 21 points, and Joe Kasperzyk who provided a season-high 13 points. Gray became the first Purple Eagle to score 30 points in a game since 2018. Caleb Fields and Supreme Cook each scored 17 points, while Cook also pulled in a season-best 17 rebounds to lead Fairfield.
 
Quinnipiac (11-5, 2-3 MAAC) – 72 | Rider (6-8, 3-1 MAAC) – 63
Alumni Gymnasium | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ
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Quinnipiac Recap
Rider Recap
 
Quinnipiac defeated Rider, 72-63, on the road in MAAC men's basketball play on Friday night in Lawrenceville, NJ. The Bobcats move to 2-3 in league play, while the Broncs fall to 3-2 on the season. Rider led 36-31 at the break, but Quinnipiac would use a second half outburst, outscoring the home Broncs 41-27 to take the road victory, its second straight MAAC win, following an 0-3 start to conference play. In all, the contests produced 12 lead changes and five ties throughout the meeting. Tyrese Williams led Quinnipiac with 16 points and five rebounds, while Dezi Jones chipped in with 13 points, four rebounds and two assists. Allen Powell scored a game-high 19 points and Mervin James added 16 points for Rider in the setback.
 
Siena (10-5, 4-0 MAAC) – 70 | Saint Peter’s (7-8, 2-4 MAAC) – 60
MVP Arena | ALBANY, NY
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Siena Recap
Saint Peter’s Recap
 
Siena claimed a 70-60 victory over Saint Peter's at MVP Arena in MAAC action Friday night. The Saints have won five straight and improve to 4-0 in MAAC play, while the Peacocks drop to 2-4. The contest was a back and forth affair in the opening half, with Siena leading by two at halftime. The Saints would only trail for one possession in the second half, using a 10-0 run to reclaim the lead for the final time en route to the home win. Four Saints scored in double figures, with Jackson Stormo leading the way with 18 points, followed by Michael Eley who scored 15 points, and the duo of Andrew Platek and Jared Billups who chipped in with 11 points each. Isiah Dasher scored 18 points and snagged four steals while Jaylen Murray added 10 points for Saint Peter's.
 
The 2022-23 campaign culminates with the 2023 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships from March 7-11 at Atlantic City's Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall for the fourth consecutive year. For all information regarding the 2023 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, please visit MAACSports.com/basketball and by following @MAACHoops and #MAACHoops on Twitter. For tickets to the 2023 Hercules Tires MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, please visit ticketmaster.com.
 
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 42nd year of competition during the 2022-23 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Mount St. Mary’s 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.