BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Marcus Gilbert hit a career-high seven 3-pointers in scoring 32 points and Fairfield led from the opening minute in beating Iona 98-91 on Sunday, dropping the Gaels out of first in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

The Stags (11-9, 5-5) led by eight with a minute remaining and held on by making 5 of 8 free throws.

Fairfield took a 16-2 lead and led by 17 early in the second half before Iona cut it to three. A 9-0 run rebuilt the lead to 80-67 with nine minutes left.

Gilbert also had 10 rebounds for his third double-double this season. Tyler Nelson added 22 points.

Jordan Washington, in his first game back from a two-game suspension for his role in a postgame fracas with Monmouth, scored a career-high 33 points for the Gaels (10-9, 7-3). Isiah Williams added 22. A.J. English, averaging over 24 points, didn't score in the first 24 minutes and finished with 16.