NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a gritty, back-and-forth contest defined by defensive stops and offensive struggles, the Iona Gaels remained undefeated by holding off a persistent Fordham Rams team 76-71 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at a packed Hynes Center.

An announced crowd of 2,578 watched as the Gaels improved to 3-0 on the young season, while the Rams fell to an even 2-2.

The game was ultimately decided by efficiency, as Iona made the most of its possessions. The Gaels scored 76 points on 71 possessions, translating to an offensive rating of 107.7. Fordham, by contrast, managed just 71 points on 72 possessions for an offensive rating of 98.9. The Rams’ inability to convert from long range proved particularly costly; they shot a dismal 6 for 32 from three-point territory, a 19 percent success rate. Iona was more selective and effective, connecting on 8 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc.

The contest featured 10 lead changes and was tied on five occasions, with neither team able to build a commanding advantage. Iona took a narrow 36-33 lead into halftime and managed to extend its margin slightly in the second half, outscoring Fordham 40-38 after the break to secure the five-point victory.

Iona’s success was spearheaded by a masterful performance from guard CJ Anthony. The Columbus, Ohio, native was the game’s primary orchestrator, pouring in 21 points and dishing out eight assists in 31 minutes of action. His backcourt partner, DeJour Reaves of Fordham, answered with a game-high 22 points, along with five rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes.

The battle in the paint and on the glass was fierce and paradoxical. Fordham dominated the offensive boards, hauling in 16 offensive rebounds to Iona’s mere four. This led to a significant 42-36 advantage for the Rams in points in the paint. However, Fordham’s overall shooting was hampered by Iona’s interior defense; the Gaels blocked five shots, with Lamin Sabally and Kosy Akametu each recording two.

Sabally, a 6-foot-8 forward from Berlin, Germany, was a force on both ends for Iona. He stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 34 minutes, serving as a crucial secondary playmaker alongside Anthony. Toby Harris provided a vital spark off the bench for the Gaels, contributing 10 points and six rebounds.

For Fordham, the backcourt duo of Reaves and Christian Henry carried the offensive load. Henry, from Chicago, complemented Reaves with 16 points, five rebounds and six assists. The Rams also received strong contributions from their international frontcourt. Rikus Schulte, a 6-foot-9 forward from Munster, Germany, posted 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while Akira Jacobs of Yokohama, Japan, pulled down 10 rebounds to go with six points.

The game’s flow was choppy, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm early. The first half was a series of missed shots and turnovers before Iona managed to carve out its slim halftime lead. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Fordham consistently threatening but never able to string together the necessary shots to overtake the Gaels for good. Iona’s slightly superior shooting and ability to capitalize on Fordham’s mistakes – scoring 13 points off nine Rams turnovers – provided the narrow margin required for victory.

The game’s final outcome defied the pregame betting line, where Iona was favored by 5.5 points, but the total score of 147 fell well under the over/under line of 158.5, a testament to the defensive effort from both squads.

Fordham will look to rebound quickly, returning to action at home against Manhattanville on Sunday. Iona, aiming to maintain its perfect start, continues its homestand with a matchup against Princeton on Tuesday.