Bronx Insider: Sports Desk: Manhattan Falls at Iona.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Manhattan Falls at Iona on Friday Night.

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Jose Perez and Samir Stewart combined for 42 points, but Iona shot 61-percent from the floor as Manhattan fell 88-76 on Friday night.

 
Manhattan (8-4, 1-2 MAAC) fell behind by 10 early before cutting the deficit to two, 23-21 on back-to-back 3-pointers from Stewart. Stewart hit five triples in the first half and capped the half with a three.

The Iona (13-3, 5-0) responded with an 11-1 run over 3:15 to extend the lead to 42-37. Stewart’s final 3-pointer got Manhattan to within 11, 45-34, at halftime.

The second half started for Manhattan with five points from Perez to get the Jaspers to within eight, 47-39, less than 90 seconds into the half. That would be as close as Manhattan would get for the remainder of the contest. Perez scored the Jaspers’ first 11 points of the second 20 minutes.

The Gaels would extend the lead to 67-50 after a 7-0 run before the under 12 media timeout and then to as many as 21 with 3:05 to play. Manhattan outscored Iona 12-4 over the last 2:55 of the game.

Perez finished with a game and season-high 27 points, including ten free throws. Stewart scored all 15 of his points in the first half for Manhattan. Warren Williams was also in double figures with 11.

Tyson Jolly paced the Gaels with 16 points. The guard was joined in double figures by Nelly Junior Joseph (13 points), Elijah Joiner (11), and Dylan Van Eyck (11).

Manhattan returns to action on Sunday at 2 p.m. inside Draddy Gymnasium hosting Canisius. The Jaspers and Griffs can be seen on ESPN+.