The Iona University men and women’s basketball teams have struggled to find their footing to start off the 2023-24 season.  

Amidst growing pains and roster changes, they have had trouble finding their footing, despite some solid showings at home.  

The men’s squad now sits at 3-5 on the year and, although not abysmal, the team has higher expectations for themselves. Their most noticeable issue seems to be their rebounding, as despite exceptional work in creating turnovers, pulling down boards after missed shots has not been a strong suit so far.  

Guard Greg Gordon is the player to watch out for, out-rebounding everyone else on the team in just 22 minutes of play per game.  

During Iona’s 82-68 loss to High Point University during the first game of the 2023 Gulf Coast Showcase, graduate student Wheza Panzo and freshman Jeremiah Quigley combined for 29 points. Panzo went 6-for-11 from the field and shot a solid 5-for-8 from long distance. Quigley hit half of his shots at 4-for-8 and added a team-high six rebounds and six assists.  

The Gaels nearly got back in the win column against California State University, Long Beach, falling 80-76.  

Five Maroon and Gold performers, including graduate student Idan Tretout and freshman Jean Aranguren, totaled double-digit points.  

Iona did not come out of Florida empty-handed, however, as a victory over the University at Buffalo broke their two game losing streak.  

The Gaels dominated the court for the entire game, jumping out to an early 13-0 lead and, later, posting a 15-0 run to bring things to 89-64 overall.  

Panzo scored his second-highest point total, with 20, in 31 minutes of action.  

The Gaels ended up dropping their one-off game in the west against the University of Colorado Boulder and their first MAAC matchup to Marist College on Nov. 29.  

Panzo continued his strong season during Iona’s first Dec. affair, accounting for 23 of the Gaels’ 78 points in a win over Fairfield University. 

Freshman Sultan Adewale posted one of his better stat lines in a mere 15 minutes of play, garnering eight points and five boards along the way.  

The women’s basketball team has also had their fair share of issues; however, a recent two game win-streak has brought them back to a .500 record at 3-3.  

Forward Sierra DeAngelo is the player to highlight, as she is leading the Gaels in both points and rebounds per game. 

The women dropped their pair of games in the “Sunshine State,” losing to Bethune-Cookman University and Stetson University 74-72 and 71-62, respectively.  

DeAngelo tried her best to keep the Gaels in the game against Bethune-Cookman, producing 30 points in the double overtime effort.  

A dominant second half versus Providence College, where graduate Natalia Otkhmezuri and sophomore Noa Givon each scored 20 points, led to a 61-49 win.  

The Gaels’ most recent win came against Wagner College, where juniors Ella Fajardo and Judith Gomez both accounted for 11 points.