SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Iona is looking for redemption for all the leads it has lost, all the games it has squandered. And the latest step toward vindication was last night’s 79-73 MAAC Tournament upset of top-seeded Niagara, one that earned the Gaels a date in tonight’s 9:00 championship game — and a shot at the NCAA Tournament.
“Now you’re getting to play all those teams again, whether it’s a 70-footer or a missed shot you feel bad about,’’ said Iona coach Tim Cluess. “When you get chance at redemption, to wipe the slate clean, that’s what we’re looking forward to doing. We’re trying to redeem ourselves from those losses.’’
Often-passive forward David Laury asserted himself with 20 points and a career-high 17 rebounds while Lamont Jones overcame flu-like symptoms and a sore knee for 17 points and five assists, including one to Tavon Sledge for a big 3-pointer that capped a 10-1 run and put the Gaels ahead 70-61 with 6:37 left.
The Gaels had been locked in a gut-check game, the kind they’ve made a habit of losing. Sure, there was ignominy of a 25-point collapse against BYU last March, the biggest blown lead in the history of the NCAA tourney, but there was also the span this season where they had lost six of seven by a total of 11 points.
But the Gaels (19-13) have won four straight since, getting payback against Canisius and Niagara with MAAC Tournament victories. Can they get more against sixth-seeded Manhattan, win the MAAC crown — something their 25-win teams of the last two seasons couldn’t do — and get back to the Big Dance?
“It’s the best feeling representing your school in the NCAA,’’ said Sean Armand, who had 13 points and six rebounds. “To go in the way we went in, extremely high, a mid-major getting an at-large berth and then the way we went out, blowing that lead, we’re always going to remember that.’’ Nobody’s ever going to forget that, but we want to wipe that taste out of our mouths.’’
Young Niagara (19-13) played without freshman point guard Tahjere McCall, settling for 3-pointers, shooting 7-for-33 from beyond the arc. Antoine Mason had a game-high 21, but shot just 6-of-18 while Sledge held Juan’ya Green to 5-of-17.
“Tavon did a tremendous job. All praise goes to him. Travon had that load in his tank that he comes to practice with, and it helped us tremendously,’’ said Jones, who downplayed his illness. “No excuses. You live this game to play. I’m not hurt, so it doesn’t make any difference. I don’t need easy, I just need possible and anything is possible.’’