The Iona men’s basketball team built a three-game win streak after a tough loss against Siena College on Jan. 27. 

The Gaels travelled to Albany, New York to face the Saint Bernards for the first time this season in a Friday night match-up. All eyes were on this game as Siena College is one of the Gaels’ biggest opponents in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this year. 

The first half remained neutral as there were eight lead changes and five tie scores. Iona entered half-time with a close lead at 36-33. The Saints came out hot in the second half taking the lead away from the Gaels and scoring 17 straight over a 4:43 span. Iona was unable to come within 13 points for the remainder of the game. 

Nelly Junior Joseph recorded his eighth straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Berrick JeanLouis also added 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks. 

The Gaels carried the bad momentum into the following match two days later when they entered half-time against Quinnipiac University at a double-digit deficit, 45-28. The Gaels entered the second half with a new offensive mindset and tightened up their defence to come back and win 78-72. 

Walter Clayton Jr. was a key performer, scoring 17 points, 13 of which were in the second half. Junior Joseph became the first Iona player this century to record nine straight double-doubles with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Daniss Jenkins also added 15 points and freshman Cruz Davis recorded 13 points to help the Gaels to another home victory. 

The Gaels’ next match-up was against Mount St. Mary’s University in New Rochelle on Feb. 3. Iona took control early in the game and never looked back. The Gaels blew out the Mount 81-51, adding another in-conference win to their record. 

Clayton led the Gaels with 20 points and Junior Joseph recorded his 10th straight double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, leading the MAAC in rebounds. 

Iona travelled to the brand-new Mahoney Arena at Fairfield University to face the Stags in another MAAC match-up. The Gaels did not let the sold-out arena get the best of them as they defeated the Stags 70-61. 

Once again, Junior Joseph recorded another double-double with 18 points and a career-high of 16 rebounds. Jenkins matched Junior Joseph with 18 points himself and added three assists, currently leading the MAAC. 

The Gaels currently stand second to Rider University in the MAAC with an overall record of 16-7 and an in-conference record of 9-3. Next, Iona will travel to Buffalo, New York  Feb. 10-12 to face Canisius College and Niagara University where they hope to pick up two more conference wins.