Iona’s offense goes missing in second half of 56-54 loss to Siena

After the Iona College men’s basketball team blew an eight point lead to Siena midway through the second half, the Gaels tried to digged themselves out of a hole they created through inconsistent shooting especially from the three-point line.

Iona saw its chance to win the game in the final 14 seconds when senior point guard Rickey McGill stole an inbound pass, kicked it to junior E.J. Crawford, who missed the go-ahead three-pointer. McGill kept hope alive, grabbing an offensive rebound and passing to junior Ben Perez, who’s three-point attempt circled out the rim.

Junior forward Tajuan Agee couldn’t convert the game-tying layup and Andrija Ristanovic’s seventh three pointer attempt clacked off the rim to seal the Gaels’ 56-54 loss to the Saints on Saturday afternoon.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” Perez said. “I thought all three shots were going in. To have it end like that, is just heartbreaking.”

Perez gave Iona a spark in the first half when shot were not falling due to strong defensive pressure by Siena. Perez scored 14 points in the first half and was a perfect 4-4 from behind the arc.

Iona gained some momentum in the second half, going on a 10-2 run to take a 44-36 lead with less than 10 minutes to go in the game.

Siena stormed back with the help of freshman guard Jalen Pickett. Pickett scored 10 straight points to put the Saints up by three. Pickett ended the game with 17 points.

Iona couldn’t find any offensive rhythm to respond to Siena’s scoring. The Gaels finished the game making only one of their last 14 shot attempts.

“We gave ourselves opportunities late in the game, but we didn’t make basket,” Iona Head Coach Tim Cluess said. “We had a few good looks in the end that could’ve tied or win the game.”

McGill finished with six points on 1-5 shooting. Perez, who was held to three points in the second half,  tallied 17 points. Crawford added 19 points, but struggled from the three-point line, going 0-4. Agee wasn’t his usual self, as he only made one shot attempt.

The Gaels, who have lost three straight games, finished the game shooting 36 percent from the floor and 6-27 from the three-point line.

“We had wide open looks. Guys didn’t make them,” Cluess said. “[Siena] made their shots when they were down.”

Iona will have six days off before playing Quinnipiac at home on Feb. 8.