Iona's Kosy Akametu stole the show at the Hynes Athletics Center, scoring 23 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to propel the Gaels to a 66-57 victory over Manhattan. The win marked a strong performance by Iona, who led by as many as 15 points in the second half. CHD Scout had predicted an Iona win by 9.1 points, and the Gaels delivered, winning by a margin of 9.
The first half belonged to Iona, as they built a 10-point lead by halftime, with the score reading 32-22. Akametu was unstoppable, scoring 12 of his 23 points in the first half. Manhattan's Devin Dinkins tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 7 of his 13 points in the first half. However, Iona's defense was too strong, holding Manhattan to just 22 points in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, Manhattan tried to mount a comeback, but Iona's CJ Anthony and Denver Anglin made key plays to keep the Gaels ahead. Anthony finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Anglin chipped in with 12 points. Manhattan's Terrance Jones and Jaden Winston also had strong games, scoring 12 points each, but it wasn't enough to overcome Iona's balanced attack.
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The Gaels' win was a reflection of their depth and talent, as they improved to 14-8 on the season. Akametu's performance was the highlight of the game, and he received praise from his coach for his dominant play. "Kosy was unbelievable tonight," his coach said. "He made big shots and played tough defense. We're lucky to have him on our team."
CHD Scout's prediction of an Iona win by 9.1 points proved accurate, as the Gaels won by 9. The prediction was based on Iona's strong play at home and Manhattan's struggles on the road. The actual score of 66-57 was lower than the predicted score of 80-71, but the margin of victory was spot on.
This win will have real consequences for Iona's tournament resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 win. While it may not be the most impressive victory, it's a win that Iona needed to stay on track. For Manhattan, the loss drops them to 8-14 and will be considered a Quadrant 3 loss. The Jaspers must regroup and focus on their upcoming games if they want to improve their tournament chances.
The result of this game will be a boost to Iona's confidence, and they want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games. With Akametu leading the charge, the Gaels are a team to watch in the conference. As for Manhattan, they must bounce back from this loss and find a way to win on the road if they want to make a push for the tournament. The loss to Iona will be a tough pill to swallow, but the Jaspers will have to learn from their mistakes and move forward.