NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball opener defined by explosive individual performances and a frantic final minute, Iona edged Siena 75-72 on Friday night at a packed Hynes Center.

The game lived up to its billing as a tightly contested affair, with the Gaels holding off a relentless Saints squad led by a career-high 31 points from Gavin Doty. Iona improved to 10-5 overall and 1-0 in the MAAC, while Siena fell to 9-5 and 0-1.

Iona’s Toby Harris, coming off a 26-point outing against Vermont, spearheaded the Gaels’ attack with 25 points, including six 3-pointers, to go with two assists and a block. His backcourt mate, CJ Anthony, orchestrated the offense with a double-double of 10 points and 13 assists, consistently finding shooters and cutters against the Siena defense.

The Gaels built their winning margin in a blistering first-half offensive display, shooting 48.5% from the field and connecting on eight 3-pointers to take a 41-36 lead into halftime. Harris was central to that surge, hitting four first-half threes, often assisted by Anthony, as Iona repeatedly answered any Siena push.

Siena, however, refused to fade, largely due to the heroics of Doty. The 6-foot-5 guard from Fulton, New York, played 39 minutes and was efficient from all over the floor, adding two assists and five steals to his scoring total. He was complemented by forward Francis Folefac, who had 18 points and two blocks, and guard Justice Shoats, who contributed 12 points and five assists.

The Saints chipped away throughout the second half, leveraging their defensive pressure to create turnovers. They trimmed a 13-point Iona lead, which stood at 58-45 with 13:31 remaining, down to a single possession in the closing seconds.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute. With Iona leading 73-71, Siena’s Christian Jones committed a turnover with 48 seconds left. Iona’s Keshawn Williams, who finished with 11 points, then hit a difficult stepback jumper with 57 seconds remaining to extend the Gael lead to 75-71.

Siena responded immediately, as Doty found Shoats for a driving layup to make it 75-73 with 47 seconds on the clock. After an Iona timeout, the Gaels ran the shot clock down, but Anthony’s 3-point attempt was blocked by Folefac. A scramble for the loose ball resulted in a shot clock violation, giving Siena possession with 14 seconds left and a chance to tie or win.

Out of a timeout, Siena designed a play for Doty, but his 3-point attempt from the wing was off the mark. Brendan Coyle’s desperation three at the buzzer also missed, sealing the victory for the home team.

Iona’s balance proved decisive. Beyond Harris and Anthony, Lamin Sabally added 10 points and three assists, while Alliou Fall provided seven points, two assists and two blocks, including several key interior denials.

The game was a statistical near-draw, with both teams committing 14 turnovers. Iona’s slight edge in 3-point shooting — they made 11 to Siena’s seven — and their 41-point first-half outburst provided the cushion they ultimately needed.

The contest drew an announced crowd of 1,545 and served as a compelling start to the MAAC schedule for both teams. Iona, which was a pregame favorite by 1.5 points, saw the total score of 147 fall just under the over/under line of 146. National statistical models had given the Gaels a 77.5% probability to win entering the game.

Iona looks to build on the conference-opening win when it travels to face Marist on Sunday. Siena, meanwhile, will aim to rebound quickly in a road contest at Rider, also on Sunday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Albany on Feb. 5.