NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Despite a career-high 25 points from Zion Cruz (Trenton, NJ/Donda[DePaul/Pratt CC]) , the Rider University men's basketball team was defeated at Iona, 80-58. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 4-24 (3-16 MAAC), while the Gaels improve to 17-13 (9-10 MAAC).
 
Early on, it was a pair of threes from Cruz, along with five early points from Flash Burton (Philadelphia, PA/Cardinal O'Hara) kept Rider within striking distance, trailing 16-11. Down 28-19, another Cruz three, sparked a 9-2 Rider run that cut the deficit to just two at 30-28, but the Gaels immediately countered with a 10-0 run that helped the Gaels take a 40-30 lead into the break.
 
Already leading 45-35, Iona scored five-straight points, then leading 54-41, the Gaels began to pull away with back-to-back threes that pushed the lead to 19. Cruz hit a jumper to trim the deficit to 63-50, but the Gaels put the game away for good with a 10-0 run over nearly four minutes of action and the Broncs would not get within 20 points for the remainder of the contest.

Quotes & Notes
- Iona earns the season split and extends its lead in the all-time series to 49-31.
- Cruz' career-high 25 points, put him in double figures for the 16^th time this season.

Broncs by the Numbers
- Rider shot 30.6% (19-62) from the floor, and 19.0% (4-21) from three, while the Gaels shot 48.1% (26-54) from the field and 46.4% (13-28) from long range.
- Burton scored in double figures for the team-best 21^st time this season, adding 13.
- Rider had four assists on its 19 made baskets.
- Burton led the Broncs with four steals.
- Iona held a 43-34 edge on the glass, but Rider held a 13-9 advantage on the offensive boards. Caleb Smith (Atlanta, GA/Fredrick Douglass[Pratt CC/Garden City CC]) finished with nine boards to lead the Broncs.

Up Next
The Broncs close out the season Sunday at Siena. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.