Zion Cruz led the Rider Broncs to a narrow victory over the Iona Gaels, with a final score of 74-71, during a gripping game held on Friday night in New Rochelle, New York. This intense match-up in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference saw Cruz delivering a standout performance. He scored 18 points, showcasing his impressive range with 6 successful field goals out of 13 attempts, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc, and converting 3 out of 6 free throws.
Alongside Cruz, TJ Weeks Jr. made significant contributions, adding 17 points to Rider’s tally. Weeks displayed resilience, shooting 5 of 12 overall and an impressive 7 out of 8 from the free-throw line. He also contributed significantly on defense by gathering eight rebounds, aiding the Broncs in maintaining a slight edge over their opponents.
Stephen Byard further complemented the dynamic duo with 11 points, converting 4 of his 6 field goal attempts and showing efficacy at the foul line with 3 of 4 free throws. The Broncs now hold a record of 10 wins and 15 losses, with 6 victories in conference play.
Contrarily, the Gaels, who currently stand at 11-14 overall and 8-6 within the conference, witnessed a strong performance from Dejour Reaves. He led Iona’s scoring attempt with 21 points and displayed defensive prowess by achieving two crucial steals. Yaphet Moundi reinforced Iona’s effort by contributing 18 points and securing seven rebounds in a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to clinch the match.
Luke Jungers also played a pivotal role for Iona, finishing the game with 14 points and showing his defensive skills by blocking two shots. Despite these efforts, the Gaels were unable to overcome Rider’s balanced offense and strategy, leading to this narrow defeat.
The upcoming matches present both teams with new challenges. Rider is set to visit Saint Peter’s, aiming to extend their victories, while Iona will face Quinnipiac on the road, looking to rebound from this close loss.
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