Iona, out of the MAAC, get set to battle SMU, out of the AAC, in round one action of the 2022 Diamond Head Classic. Iona comes into the tournament at 7-3 after having their five-game winning streak snapped in their last game. SMU is just 3-7 on the season this season and has lost four straight games. The opening tap for the opener of Wednesday's three-game Diamond Head Classic slate is set for 3:00pm EST.
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The Iona Gaels head into this three-game tournament looking to bounce back from a loss in their last matchup. On the road at New Mexico, Iona fell 82-74. They fell behind by 17-point in the first half before rallying back to close the game to within three points with under five minutes to play. New Mexico hung tough, however, and hung on for the eight-point win. Iona was led by Junior Joseph who finished with 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Joseph added seven rebounds and three steals. Walter Clayton Jr. added 14 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Iona shot just 41% from the field overall and just 13% from beyond the arc.
U4 1H (1:59): #UNM 78, #Iona 73
Jenkins to the line for 2FT after the TO.
Tune in NOW for the final 2 min
??: @FS1 | #GaelNation #MAACHoops pic.twitter.com/xnurLCqqE1
— Iona Men's Basketbal l (@IonaGaelsMBB) December 19, 2022
Iona is 52nd in the nation in points per game but just 206th in 3pt field goal percentage. They are a team that won't hurt themselves, 11th in the country in turnovers per game. Defensively, the Gaels are 68th in point per game allowed through their first ten games. They are ranked 103rd in the country against the 3pt field goal. Iona is 156th in the country in rebounds per game and have played the 134th toughest schedule in the country thus far.