Men's College Basketball

Iona College 78, Rider University 68

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ— A nemesis is a formidable and usually victorious rival or opponent.  Iona certainly fits that category for the Broncs, as the Gaels have now defeated Rider six straight times.

For the second time in 10 days, the Broncs played a game in which the winner would be in sole possession of first place.  And for the second straight time, the Broncs were unable to get the victory.

Freshman Schadrac Casmir scored 24 points and David Laury added 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead Iona to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory over Rider Thursday night.

“I thought Iona played really well,” said Rider head coach Kevin Baggett. “They are difficult to guard. I don't think we played very smart tonight.”

With the win Iona is now in sole possession of first place in the MAAC, a half game ahead of Monmouth (6-2).

Iona (14-6, 7-2 MAAC) out-scored Rider (12-8, 6-3 MAAC) 8-0 over the final 3:12 of the game, five points by Casmir.

The loss was just the third in the last 13 games for Rider.

A three-point play by Rider senior Matt Lopez (Erial, NJ/Washington Twp.) cut the Iona lead to 63-62 with 6:43 left to play, and a three-point field goal by sophomore Jimmie Taylor (Branford, Fla./Suwannee) cut the lead to 70-68 with 3:12 remaining.

Lopez finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, his fifth 'double-double' of the season.  “This was a missed opportunity,” Lopez said, “with the chance to go into first place tonight.”

Taylor finished with 10 points and six rebounds.

Rider used a 10-4 run, making three three-pointers, to cut the Iona lead to 58-55 midway through the second half.

Rider led the first 17 minutes of the game. Iona led the final 20:32 of the game.

Iona out-scored Rider 21-5 over the final 6:06 of the first half, eight points by Vangelis Bebis, to take a 41-33 lead at the half. “The last two or three minutes of the first half really cost us,” Baggett said. “We started turning the ball over and allowed Iona to get back into the game.”

“That was the difference in the game, the end of the first half when they took the momentum away,” Lopez said.

Making his first career start, Bebis finished with a career-high16 points, making four of eight three-pointers.

“I had no idea who Bebis was before tonight,” Baggett said.  “Give him credit for stepping up and give (Iona) Coach (Tim) Cluess credit for putting him on the court.”

Rider jumped out to an 11-2 lead as Iona made just one of its first 13 shots. “I thought we got out to a good start,” Baggett said.

Also for Rider, junior Teddy Okereafor (London, England/VCU) compiled 11 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, while sophomore Xavier Lundy (Paulsboro, NJ/Paulsboro) added 14 points.

Iona defeated Rider 77-64 on December 10 in New Rochelle.

The last time Rider defeated Iona was January 20, 2013, with the Gaels winning the last six.

Rider and Iona have now met 56 times since the series began in 1949-50, with Rider winning 23, including eight of the last 21.

Rider returns to Alumni Gym to host Canisius Saturday evening. “We have to have a short-term memory,” Baggett said.  Canisius beat Iona on Sunday. “Canisius is having a good year so we need to be ready for them. We're home and we need to take advantage of that.”

The Greek goddess Nemesis was known for inflicting retribution or vengeance. Rider will seek that Saturday night.

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