EDISON, NJ (Feb. 4, 2023) – Home court advantage played a key role in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men’s basketball league play on Friday night to tip-off the month of February, with all five home teams protecting their turf. Headlining the winners were Quinnipiac University, which earned a dominating win over in-state rival Fairfield University on ESPNU, while Manhattan College pulled off an upset win in overtime against first-place Siena College, and Rider University toppled rival Saint Peter’s University to pull into a share of first-place.
 
Iona (15-7, 8-3 MAAC) – 81 | Mount St. Mary’s (7-16, 3-9 MAAC) – 51
Hynes Athletic Center | NEW ROCHELLE, NY
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Iona Recap
Mount St. Mary’s Recap
 
Iona routed Mount St. Mary’s, 81-51, in MAAC play at the Hynes Center on Friday night. The Gaels opened the evening with a 15-3 run and never looked back, extending the rally to 28-9 and 48-18 by halftime. Iona improves to 8-3 in league play and are even in the loss column with both first-place squads of Siena and Rider at the top of the MAAC standings. The Mount falls to 3-9 in the MAAC following their third straight setback. Five Gaels posted double-digit point totals led by a game-high 20 points from Walter Clayton Jr., a 10th straight double-double by Nelly Junior Joseph with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Daniss Jenkins, Berrick JeanLouis and Cruz Davis added 12 points each. Dola Adebayo led the Mount with a career-high 13 points in his first collegiate start.
 
Manhattan (8-13, 6-6 MAAC) – 71 | Siena (15-8, 9-3 MAAC) – 66 OT
Draddy Gymnasium | RIVERDALE, NY
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Manhattan Recap
Siena Recap
 
Manhattan edged Siena, 71-66 in an overtime thriller at Draddy Gymnasium on Friday night. The Jaspers record moves to an even 6-6 in the MAAC while the Saints fall to 9-3 but still remain in a first-place tie with Rider. Late in the second half, Siena took a six point advantage with just under two minutes to play, but Manhattan scored seven out of the final eight points, highlighted by a game-tying layup from Ant Nelson with 3.3 seconds to play, forcing overtime. In the extra period, the Jaspers outscored the Saints 14-9 to snag the upset win. Nelson led Manhattan with 19 points, followed by 15 from Samir Stewart and 12 points by Nick Brennen. Andrew Platek matched his career-best with 20 points, while Jared Billups scored 15 points and Jackson Stormo finished with 14 points for Siena.
 
Niagara (12-9, 7-5 MAAC) – 76 | Canisius (5-16, 3-9 MAAC) – 73
Gallagher Center | NIAGARA UNIV., NY
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Niagara Recap
Canisius Recap
 
Niagara used a late spark to pick up a 76-73 home win over Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius Friday night in MAAC men's basketball action from the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles used a late 12-0 run over a five minute span to grab a six-point lead and hold off the Golden Griffins. Aaron Gray and Noah Thomasson combined for 50 points to lead the way for Niagara, scoring 27 and 23 points, respectively. Jordan Henderson led the Griffs with 15 points, Siem Uijtendaal added 14 points off the bench, and Jacco Fritz and Tahj Staveskie both scored 11 points. Niagara’s winning streak grows to three games as the team improves to 7-5 in the conference, while Canisius falls to 3-9 in conference action this season.
 
Quinnipiac (17-6, 8-4 MAAC) – 66 | Fairfield (10-12, 6-6 MAAC) – 51
M&T Bank Arena | HAMDEN, CT
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Quinnipiac Recap
Fairfield Recap
 
In front of a sellout crowd of 3,519 on ESPNU in the MAAC Game of the Week, Quinnipiac downed rival Fairfield, 66-51, on Friday night in Hamden, CT. The Bobcats move to 8-4 in the MAAC with the victory, and has been winners in eight of their last nine MAAC contests. After a slow shooting to start the game for both sides, Quinnipiac outscored Fairfield 20-3 to end the first half and take a five-point lead into the locker room. The Bobcats would catch fire in the second and take a lead as large as 17 points in the dominating second half in which the home side outscored the visitors 40-30. Ike Nweke led Quinnipiac with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Luis Kortright chipped in with 12 points, while Dezi Jones added 11 points. Fairfield was led by a season-high 17 points from Allan Jeanne-Rose and Jalen Leach added 10 points with six rebounds and four steals. The Stags fall to an even 6-6 following the defeat, dropping their last two games.
 
Rider (12-9, 9-3 MAAC) – 82 | Saint Peter’s (9-13, 4-9 MAAC) – 61
Alumni Gymnasium | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ
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Rider Recap
Saint Peter’s Recap
 
Rider led wire-to-wire in an 82-61 victory over in-state rival Saint Peter's Friday night at Alumni Gym in MAAC men’s basketball action. The Broncs moved into a first-place tie with Siena following their sixth straight win as their MAAC mark improved to 9-3 on the season, while the Peacocks fall to 4-9 in conference play. An early 9-0 run by Rider created separation from SPU, as the Broncs took a controlling 46-23 halftime lead. Another early run to start the second half, pushed the Broncs ahead by 29 points and the Peacocks never got closer than 17 for the remainder of the night in the defeat. Five Broncs scored in double figures, with Dwight Murray Jr. leading the way with 15 points. Adetokunbo Bakare and Mervin James scored 11 points each, while Allen Powell and Ajiri Ogemuno-Johnson added 10 points apiece for Rider. Isiah Dasher scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Peacocks, while Kyle Cardiac and Jaylen Murray added 11 points each.
 
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.