Iona beats Manhattan 85-73, moves to top of MAAC

Jan 31, 2015, 11:49 pm

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- David Laury had 21 points and Mike Poole scored 19 Friday night as Iona defeated Manhattan 85-73 in a rematch of last year's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title game.

Sean Armand added 18 points for the Gaels (12-8, 9-2) who pulled even with Canisius for first place in the MAAC.

Iona went on a 7-1 run to take a 71-63 lead with 2:43 to play. The Gaels led by no less than six from there and made 7 of 8 free throws to secure the win.

Manhattan trailed 39-34 at halftime, but stormed back to take a 50-44 lead less than 6 minutes into the second. Iona answered with 12 straight points, capped by A.J. English's back-to-back 3-pointers to take the lead for good at 56-50.

Rhamel Brown led Manhattan (14-6, 7-4) with 15 points as Michael Alvarado and Emmy Andujar added 11 apiece.