ALBANY, NY — Sunday afternoon was nothing short of thrilling for college basketball fans as the Iona Gaels edged out the Siena Saints 74-73, thanks to dramatic free throws made by freshman Adam Njie Jr. with just 2.7 seconds on the clock. The game at MVP Arena captivated the 5,225 fans present, culminating in heart-pounding moments and intense gameplay.
The contest was intensely competitive throughout, with both teams struggling to control possessions. Siena, fresh from a high-scoring victory over Manhattan just days before, entered the game with confidence but struggled with their ball handling against Iona's pressing defense, leading to numerous turnovers.
Early on, the Saints found themselves trailing 13-8 until sophomore guard Brendan Coyle ignited their offense, scoring 11 of the next 13 points and showcasing his shooting prowess with four three-pointers. Coyle, who eventually led his team with 20 points, mentioned afterwards, "We know he wanted to be out there fighting for us... it's really tough to see." This was in reference to his teammate, Marcus Jackson, who later left the game with what appeared to be a severe ankle injury.
Jackson, who has been marked as the "heartbeat of this team," drove aggressively to the basket before crumpling to the floor, visibly pained. His absence was deeply felt; head coach Gerry McNamara stated, "It’s tough when one of your guys goes down like... it’s really tough to see." Jackson's pivotal role had been evident all season, as he averaged almost 26 minutes per game before his injury.
The game unfolded with continuous momentum shifts. Despite Iona taking control and leading by 11 points midway through the second half, Siena roared back, often led by freshman Gavin Doty, who executed breathtaking steals. Doty’s impressive performance included multiple thefts within the final minute, which brought Siena close to snatching the lead.
Eventually, the game came down to the final moments, where Njie's free throw sealed the victory for Iona. Njie, leading his team with 13 points, had to face intense pressure, especially after missing his first free throw attempt but sunk the second to secure the win. Iona coach Tobin Anderson reflected on the dramatic moment, saying, "To me, he [Njie] seemed the most cool, calm and collected... I lost my mind, too.”
The struggles of both teams persisted, as the contest was marred by 49 turnovers combined and 47 fouls — indicative of the physical nature of the game. McNamara noted, "You lose by one and you have one more turnover... that's kind of the way I look at it," echoing the frustrations of his team as they faced Iona’s relentless pressure.
Siena’s Justice Shoats, who battled fatigue after playing nearly 50 minutes just days earlier, voiced the emotional toll of the competition saying, "They’re obviously a great team... we have some off games, but we need to handle pressure much more effectively.”
With the conference standings on the line, both teams knew how important this match was. Siena, now sitting at 7-8 overall and 2-2 within the MAAC, aims to regroup quickly as they have another game against Quinnipiac looming. The Saints are focused on rallying from this tough loss, drawing inspiration from their recent successes and the resilience demonstrated throughout the game.
Despite the loss, the Saints showed remarkable determination. The physical toll and the emotional weight of Jackson’s injury will certainly factor as they prepare for their upcoming matches. Iona, improving to 5-10 overall, also hopes to build on this victory, establishing momentum within the tight race for the MAAC leading standings.
The intensity of the battle between these two rivals has set the stage for another exciting season of college basketball. With the fierce competition guaranteed to continue, fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments on the court.