Men's Hoops Opens MAAC Tourney Versus Iona

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - No. 10 seed Manhattan (6-22) will take on No. 7 seed Iona on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Jim Boardwalk Hall in the opening round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament in Atlantic City.

Quick Hits: #10 Manhattan and #7 Iona face off for the second time in six days after squaring off in Riverdale last week. The two teams split the regular season series, with the Jaspers taking the most recent win. Manhattan's journey in Atlantic City, N.J., and its quest for the program's sixth MAAC Championships begins on Tuesday at Jim Boardwalk Hall. Manhattan has won MAAC Championships in 1993, 2003,2004, 2014, and 2015. The Jaspers have appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments, going 3-9. Last year, Manhattan fell in the first round to Marist, 61-50.

The Preview: Manhattan entered the week ranked second in opponent free throw percentage (.739), second in assists (14.45), and fifth in steals (7.62). Individually, Traore ranks first in the MAAC in blocked shots (1.2) and second in rebounding (8.1). Daniel Rouzan ranks seventh in field goal percentage (.534). Jaden Winston ranks second in assists (5.0) and second in steals (2.2). Shaquil Bender is 11th in scoring (13.8).

Series Info: The Jaspers trail the all-time series against Iona, 31-18. Manhattan snapped a two-game losing streak to the Gales with a 77-60 victory on March 7 in Riverdale. The Jaspers' hot shooting included 20 points (8-for-15) from Shaquil Bender, who connected on four triples, eight rebounds, and five assists. Jaden Winston registered his first double-double of 11 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds. Rouzan tallied 16 points, while Perry Cowan had 14.

The Opponent: Iona is 15-16 to end the regular season. The Gaels beat Siena 68-54 in their regular-season finale. Greg Gordon is averaging 16.0 points and 7.3 rebounds to lead Iona, while Idan Tretout has 13.9 points and 3.0 rebounds. Iona averages 72.0 points per game and shoots 43.3 percent from the floor.

Leading the Way: The Jaspers' hot shooting included 20 points (8-for-15) from Shaquil Bender, who connected on four triples, eight rebounds, and five assists. Jaden Winston registered his first double-double of 11 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds. Daniel Rouzan tallied 16 points, while Perry Cowan had 14.

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