There was a sense of relief within the Iona College men’s basketball team (8-15, 6-6 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) on Sunday afternoon when junior guard Asante Gist converted a pair of free throws with 0.9 seconds left in regulation to secure a 79-76 victory over Niagara (11-14, 4-8 MAAC) and ending a four game losing streak.

“It was really good for our players,” Iona Head Coach Tim Cluess said. “Our players have been working hard and they needed something to make them feel good about themselves.”

Iona looked much better offensively in the first half compared to the last two games, as the Gaels shot over 50 percent from the floor. Iona led by as many as seven points midway through the first half before Niagara started making shot from deep and shifted the momentum.

Niagara freshman Dominik Fragala three straight shots from behind the arc to give the Purple Eagles a 39-31 lead with less than four minutes left in the first half.

Iona struggled at the start of the second half, only making one of its first nine shot attempts. Niagara took advantage of the Gaels’ offensive woes by taking a 49-39 lead early in the second half.

Iona junior guard E.J. Crawford was determined to not let his team’s losing continue. Crawford, who finished with a game-high 22 points, scored 13 consecutive points to give the Gaels a 54-49 lead.

“I was just trying to play basketball,” Crawford said. “My point guards Asante and Rickey found me in my sweet spots and I was able to get the bucket.”

Niagara managed to take a four point lead with six minutes remaining. Iona came back yet again takes to tough defense and solid three-point shooting by Gist, who was inserted into the starting lineup.

Iona was trailing 76-75 with 21 seconds left when Crawford was fouled after grabbing an offensive rebound. Crawford missed the free throw, but junior forward Tajuan Agee collected the offensive board and drew a foul, while going up for a layup.

Agee made both free throws, which gave Iona a 77-76 lead with 14 seconds to go. Niagara’s top scorer Marvin Prochet, who had 17 points and eight rebounds, missed the go-ahead jumpshot and Gist grabbed the rebound.

Iona was forced to play with eight players, as junior guard Isaiah Still was out with a concussion and forward Andrija Ristanovic deals with the flu.

“Just when you think you’re getting healthier, Isaiah gets a concussion and Andrija Ristanovic came down with the flu,” Cluess said. “It hasn’t gone our way yet, but guys are giving me everything they can, when they can.”

Senior point guard Rickey McGill registered 18 points, eight assists and three steals. Gist added 19 points, while Agee recorded a double-double for the second straight game, 10 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Ben Perez chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds.

“[Asante] made a big shot late in the game, but more importantly, he got the last rebound of the game,” Cluess said. “He’s not known for his rebounding.”

Iona’s defense took a major step forward, scoring 28 points on 17 forced turnovers. Iona made adjustments in the second half by limiting three-point shot attempts and taking the ball to the basket.

“I thought we were settling for too many jump shots and not being aggressive offensively,” Cluess said. “We talked about moving the ball a little bit and look to attack, get ourselves to the foul line and get some easy shots. I think we haven’t been playing like that and guys have been settling at times. I thought we did a better job mixing things up.”

The Gaels will play Siena on the road on Wednesday before returning to the Hynes Center on Friday to face Saint Peter’s.