Iona Beats Siena to Advance to Semifinals of MAAC Tournament

BRIDGEPORT, CT—Iona had not won a MAAC Tournament basketball game since 2006, meaning no player on the Gaels’ roster had ever tasted a postseason victory. Meanwhile, Iona’s opponent Siena had won 10 straight Tournament games, tying a MAAC record. When their quarterfinal matchup was over, we learned that for the first time since 2007 the MAAC Tournament champions wouldn’t be the Siena Saints. Iona made sure of that, routing Siena 94-64 Saturday night at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

“It’s a relief,” point guard Scott Machado said of getting the victory. “This is the first time we came out here and don’t have to leave after the first day. We get to sleep in the hotel again. We get our jerseys washed again…We needed this one. Just to get it off our backs so we can start rolling.” Machado certainly did his part, scoring 15 points and dishing out eight assists.

Mike Glover, who many felt should have won the MAAC Player of the Year, dominated inside against Siena’s frontcourt, which includes the player who did receive the award, Ryan Rossiter. Glover scored 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds.

“After not being nominated on Thursday for the Player of the Year, I pretty much wanted to take tonight’s game a little personal,” Glover said.

The Gaels shot 58 percent from the field and 9-of-17 from deep. Iona came out hot, making five field goals and three free throws before missing a shot to take a 15-8 lead. Leading by 10 at one point in the half, the Gaels led 37-31 at the break.

Siena cut the deficit to three a few minutes into the second half and Iona countered with a 15-2 run over the next four minutes to go up 56-40. After that, it was the Kyle Smyth show. Iona’s sophomore guard drilled a three-pointer and then drew an offensive foul from Rossiter on the next possession. Moments later, he hit another three, then picked off a Siena pass and made a nice pass to Glover for a dunk.

“The kid was everywhere. Everywhere you turned around Kyle Smyth was there,” said Iona head coach Tim Cluess. “He was guarding the ball, he was helping on the drive, he was on the floor getting loose balls, he was leading our fast break, he was knocking down shots. His energy level was contagious tonight. He really made other guys rise to the occasion and try to match it.”

Iona’s lead hovered around 20 for the second part of the half, reaching 27 with four minutes left. If it hadn’t been clear earlier, everyone in the building came to the realization that Siena’s run atop the MAAC was officially over.

And so, too, is Iona’s run of losing its opening tournament game. “This year we knew we had a good team,” Machado said. “We felt like we had to get this win. If we didn’t get this win, it would have been like a curse. I feel like we’ve got to make it to [the final on] Monday.”

Iona will play Rider/Canisius today at 4:30. The winner will face the victor of the Fairfield/Saint Peter’s game in the final.