Pillari, Monmouth surprise Iona 72-50 (Feb 08, 2018)

Published

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) Louie Pillari scored 10 of his 21 points in the first half when Monmouth took a 17-point lead and the Hawks upended Iona 72-50 on Thursday night.

A 13-3 run to end the first half gave the Hawks a 41-24 lead with the margin reaching 24 with 8:50 left in the game after an 11-0 surge that started with two baskets by Zac Tillman and ended with five points from Ray Salnave.

Monmouth (8-16, 4-8 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), which shot 55 percent in the first half, outrebounded Iona 44-32 in ending a three-game losing streak and avenging a 76-73 home loss to Iona on Jan. 19.

E.J. Crawford scored 19 points for the Gaels (15-10, 9-4), who had a two-game win streak end after shooting 33 percent and making only 7 of 32 from the arc.