Big first half carries Iona past Niagara 75-61

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) Isaiah Williams scored 21 points and Iona used a big first half to defeat Niagara 75-61 on Sunday.

Deyshonee Much added 15 points as the Gaels (14-9, 11-3 Metro Atlantic) made eight of their 10 first-half 3-pointers for a 48-28 lead. Much and Williams combined for 23 points before the break.

The Purple Eagles (6-19, 4-10) went on a 19-5 run in the second half, closing within 58-49 on an Emile Blackman dunk with 10:10 remaining. They were down 10 with seven minutes to go but went 4:20 without a field goal and trailed by 15 with 2:41 to play.

Iona, which has won four straight, made 13 of 14 free throws in the second half and 19 of 24 for the game. The Gaels finished 10 of 25 on 3s but went just 13 of 39 inside the arc.

Justin Satchell led Niagara, which was just 4 of 17 on 3s and 13 of 22 on free throws, with 16 points.