- Adam Njie nails buzzer-beating jumper with 3 seconds remaining
- Dejour Reaves leads all scorers with 23-point performance
- Iona improves to 10-8 in MAAC play ahead of conference tournament
In a heart-stopping Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference showdown, Iona secured a crucial 65-63 victory against Niagara Friday night. The Gaels' sophomore guard Adam Njie etched his name in program lore with a 14-foot jumper that found net with just three ticks remaining. This dramatic finish keeps Iona's hopes alive for a favorable seed in the upcoming MAAC Championship.
Dejour Reaves delivered an offensive masterclass, converting 58% of his field goal attempts including three critical three-pointers. The junior guard's 23-point outburst marked his seventh 20+ point game this season. Meanwhile, Njie demonstrated clutch two-way play with 13 points and eight assists, outdueling Niagara's Josiah Davis who led the Purple Eagles with 18 points.
Regional basketball analysts note this victory continues Iona's recent dominance in close contests - their fourth win decided by three points or fewer this season. Compared to Buffalo's 2023 MAAC Cinderella run, where three similar last-second victories propelled an underdog to the conference final, Iona appears to be peaking at the ideal moment. Teams winning multiple nail-biters in February historically see 23% better postseason performance according to NCAA analytics.
The Gaels' backcourt tandem of Reaves and Njie combined for 36 points, exploiting Niagara's perimeter defense that ranks ninth in the MAAC for three-point percentage allowed. With both teams battling fatigue in Sunday's quick turnaround games, this victory provides critical momentum for Iona's road test against Canisius. Niagara must regroup quickly as they face defensive powerhouse Manhattan, against whom they've dropped three straight meetings by double digits.
As March Madness approaches, late-game execution becomes paramount. Iona's ability to draw up and execute their final play under pressure suggests growing maturity under first-year coach Tobin Anderson. With the MAAC tournament awarding home-court advantage to higher seeds, every conference win dramatically impacts championship odds. Friday's thriller serves as a blueprint for surviving - and thriving - in single-elimination postseason basketball.