Williams helps Iona hold off Cleveland St, 78-73

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) Isaiah Williams converted a layup to give Iona the lead with 44 seconds left and tacked on a free throw 20 seconds later to help Iona hold off Cleveland State, 78-73 on Friday night.

Trey Lewis fed Anton Grady for a layup to give Cleveland State the lead, 71-70 with 4:11 left and neither team managed to score until Schadrac Casimir drilled a 3 with 2:27 left to put Iona back on top. Lewis answered with a 3-pointer to pull the Vikings even at 73-73.

Williams and Casimir finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively to lead the Gaels, who are the defending Metro Atlantic champions.

Marlin Mason was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, and shared team-high honors with Williams. Both scored 16 points. Andre Yates and Kaza Keane added 14 and 13 points, respectively.