Clayton has 22, Iona knocks off Niagara 71-59 in MAAC semis

2021-11-28T191721Z_1994917055_MT1USATODAY17249362_RTRMADP_3_NCAA-BASKETBALL-ESPN-EVENTS-INVITATIONAL-KANSAS-VS-IONA-1200×800
Iona Gaels head coach Rick Pitino looks on against Kansas Jayhawks in the first half at HP Field House.
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Walter Clayton Jr. had 22 points in Iona’s 71-59 victory over Niagara on Friday night in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.

The top-seeded Gaels will face No. 11 Marist in Saturday’s championship game.

Clayton had six rebounds for the Gaels (27-7). Nelly Junior Joseph scored 16 points while going 7 of 11 and 2 of 3 from the free throw line, and added six rebounds. Daniss Jenkins recorded 14 points and was 4 of 11 shooting, including 1 for 4 from distance, and went 5 for 6 from the line. It was the 13th straight victory for the Gaels.

Aaron Gray finished with 18 points for the Purple Eagles (16-15). Noah Thomasson added 15 points and three steals for Niagara. Braxton Bayless also had nine points and two steals.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.