Preview of Saturday’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Game

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — A recent victor in the series seeks to continue its momentum against a team looking to defend its home court when the Mount Saint Mary’s Mountaineers visit the Iona Gaels on Saturday.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup at the Hynes Center pits two teams coming off different results in their last outings. Mount Saint Mary’s (10-14) earned a 72-65 home win over Manhattan on Feb. 1, while Iona (14-9) suffered a narrow 70-70 home loss to Fairfield on Jan. 30.

The Mountaineers won the first meeting this season, 66-59, at home on Dec. 29. Replicating that result on the road will require another strong performance from guard Arlandus Keyes. He is averaging 13.0 points over his last eight games, including a 22-point effort in a win at Canisius on Jan. 17 and 16 points in a victory over Rider on Jan. 24. In the Feb. 1 win, Keyes contributed 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Iona counters with guard CJ Anthony, who is coming off a 20-point performance in the loss to Fairfield. He has been a consistent facilitator, dishing nine assists in a Jan. 14 game at Rider and averaging 4.4 assists over his last seven contests.

Mount Saint Mary’s has shown recent improvement, winning four of its last seven games after a 1-4 start to MAAC play. The Mountaineers’ offense has found a rhythm, scoring 70 or more points in four of those seven games.

Iona, meanwhile, aims to rebound from its recent stumble and solidify its position in the conference standings. The Gaels had won three straight prior to the Fairfield loss. Their defense will be tested by a Mountaineers team that has proven capable of scoring in bursts.

The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. tip-off at Hynes Center. Following this contest, Mount Saint Mary’s travels to face Rider on Feb. 13, while Iona begins a two-game road trip at Canisius on the same date.