A Pair of Harvard Career Highs Hinder Iona's Comeback in the Gaels Non-Conference Finale

By Joe Budzelek
(@stf_ncaa)

With the score knotted up at halftime, Harvard's hot second half shooting was too much for Iona as the Gaels closed up their non-conference schedule with a 61-to-67 loss to the Crimson.

Leading 45-to-39 with ten minutes to go, the Gaels squandered their lead with the Crimson outscoring Iona by 12 points in the game's last stretch as Harvard's star freshman guard Robert Hinton took a backseat to fellow classmates Austin Hunt (16 points) and Tey Barbour (14 points) who both achieved career highs this afternoon, leading the second half charge by scoring a combined 21 points across the game's final ten minutes. 

Iona Gaels Christian Winborne (#8) and James Patteron (#0) double Harvard junior Christian Pigge near center court. 

The tale of two halves, Iona's pressure defense did an excellent job harassing Harvard's offense in the first half by forcing 11 turnovers while the Crimson also struggled with their shot, making just 37.5% of their field goals and 27% attempts from three. Iona's offensively efficiency was no better than Harvard in the first half, but the Gaels' struggles on offense sustained throughout the game with Iona making just a third of their shot attempts this afternoon.

Iona senior guard Dejour Reaves continued his excellent play, scoring 22 points on 8-for-18 shooting, but for too many possessions, Reaves was the only viable option on the floor, making late possession buckets while other options were difficult to find. Outside of Reaves, who was 3-for-6 from three, no other Gael made a three-pointer across a dozen tries. All Gaels outside of Reaves made just 31% of their shot attempts. 

Simply put, Iona's offensive struggles have been a major dark spot this season and this afternoon was another example of their shooting woes. This season, opponents have shot over 11% higher from inside the arc and 7% better from three. Last year, the Gaels made 35% of their three-pointers, but this year, under 30%. Between Reaves, Adam Njie Jr., Christian Winborne and James Patterson, Iona's roster is rich with athletes who can create off the dribble and attack the rim, but it will be hard for this group's effectiveness to shine if insufficient spacing clogs up the lanes and prevents the defense from respecting the perimeter game. 

Following today's disappointing loss, Iona enter MAAC conference play full time starting with the Gaels hosting the 9-2 Marist Red Foxes on Friday. So far, the conference lacks a surefire star team, so Iona has as good as any team's chance to represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament, but adjustments will need to be made in short order.