Marist defeats Iona 83-38
Marist Dominates Iona in Statement Win at Home
The McCann Arena crowd witnessed a resounding statement win by the Red Foxes, as Marist cruised to an 83-38 victory over visiting Iona on Tuesday night. The blowout win marks a significant turning point for the conference contenders, who have been touted as one of the top teams in the league.
At halftime, the home team held a commanding 42-22 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Marist's defense was stifling, holding Iona to just 16 points on 32% shooting from the field. The Red Foxes' offense, meanwhile, was clicking on all cylinders, with Rhyjon Blackwell leading the charge with 17 points on 3-6 three-point range.
The largest lead of the night came at one point when Marist held a 46-point advantage, with Iona struggling to find its footing. The Red Foxes' bench played a significant role in the game, providing a spark that helped seal the win for their team.
Rhyjon Blackwell was instrumental in the victory, scoring 17 points and grabbing 3 rebounds. Justin Menard chipped in with 5 assists and 7 points, while Jadin Collins-Roberts added 6 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.
Iona's CJ Anthony led the Golden Griffins with 11 points, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 0-1 three-point attempts. Luke Jungers provided some scoring punch with 3 points and 5 rebounds, but the team as a whole was unable to find its footing against Marist's stifling defense.
The win marks a significant statement for Marist, who have been built around their stifling defense all season long. The Red Foxes' ability to shut down opposing offenses has been a key factor in their success, and Tuesday night's victory only adds fuel to the fire.
In contrast, Iona's struggles from beyond the arc were a major storyline of the game. The Golden Griffins have struggled with three-point shooting all season, and it was on full display against Marist.
The win moves Marist one step closer to conference supremacy, while also sending a clear message to their opponents: this team is for real.
Game Statistics:
* Marist: 31/68 (46.0%) FG, 23/39 (59.0%) 2PT FG, 8/29 (28.0%) 3PT FG, 13/15 FT, 42 REB, 23 AST
* Iona: 14/44 (32.0%) FG, 13/30 (43.3%) 2PT FG, 1/14 (7.0%) 3PT FG, 9/17 FT, 32 REB, 6 AST