NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — A pair of undefeated metropolitan area rivals will put their early-season records on the line Friday when the Iona Gaels host the Fordham Rams in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup at the Hynes Center.

Iona (2-0) enters the contest with momentum from a high-scoring 105-91 road victory over Missouri-Kansas City on Tuesday. The Gaels’ offense was powered by a trio of double-digit scorers: Toby Harris dropped 20 points, Kosy Akametu added 22, and Lamin Sabally contributed 15 points and seven assists. Iona also opened its season with an 81-73 home win against Hofstra.

Fordham (2-1) is coming off a narrow 63-61 home win over Wagner, also on Tuesday. Rikus Schulte led the Rams with 14 points in that contest, while Christian Henry dished out six assists. The Rams’ season includes a dominant 106-37 win over Mount St. Mary’s and a 72-61 loss to NJIT.

The game will be a final local test for both teams before their schedules ramp up. Iona will next host Princeton on Nov. 18, while Fordham returns home to face Manhattanville on Nov. 16.

Tipoff is set for Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.