New Rochelle, N.Y. (Nov. 26, 2014)---Iona set school records for points, assists and three-point field goals in a 126-76 demolition of Delaware State at the Hynes Center this evening.
The Gaels shot 41-for-71 from the floor (57.7%) and 24-of-39 from three-point range (61.5%). In addition, Iona had a team-record 35 assists.
Freshman guard Schadrac Casimir scored a career-high 40 points to lead four Iona players in double figures. Casimir was 11-for-13 from the field, including eight-of-nine from three-point territory. He was also 10-for-11 at the free throw line.
Wilmington, Del., native A.J. English, the son of former Delaware high school star and NBA standout A.J. English, added 26 points, while Isaiah Williams contributed 25 for the Gaels.
English's performance was highlighted by six three-point field goals (6-12) and a game-high nine assists. Williams was seven-for-10 from beyond the arc.
The Gaels hit the century mark on a three-pointer by English to open up a 100-60 lead with 4:13 left to play.
“Iona shot the lights out of the ball,” said Delaware State head coach Keith Walker. “We didn't help ourselves by making too many mistakes on our defensive rotations, but give the Gaels credit. They made us pay for every mistake by shooting as well as I've seen a team in a long time.”
Iona won its third straight game to improve to 4-1. Among its victories this season is an 85-81 win at Wake Forest. The Hornets dropped their third straight to fall to 2-3.
The 126 points were the most allowed by Delaware State since a 138-75 loss to Texas Christian during the 1997-98 season.
Amere May came off the bench to lead the Hornets with 18 points in his second game since returning to the team.
Kendall Gray recorded his third double-double of the season and 15th of his career with 14 points and tying his career high with 13 rebounds. Gray was six-for-nine from the field and two-of-two at the free throw line. He also had one block to bring his school record total to 228.
Tyshawn Bell added 13 points for the Hornets. Bell was five-for-eight from the floor and three-of-four from beyond the arc. He has hit 12 of his last 16 three-point shots.
Bell now has 151 three-pointers at DSU to rank seventh in team history. Emanual Davis (1988-91) is sixth with 153.
Charles Burley had a career-high seven assists to lead the Hornets.
Bell scored the first eight points for DSU to give the Hornets an early lead. His second three-pointer put Delaware State ahead 8-6 with 15:23 left in the first half.
Iona responded with a 17-6 run, and opened up a 23-14 lead on a three-pointer by English with 12:26 to go in the opening frame. Casimir had three three-pointers and 11 points, while English nailed two threes during the Iona spurt.
The Gaels used an 11-0 run to extend their lead. Jeylani Dublin capped off the run with a driving lay-up to give Iona a 40-19 lead with 5:11 to go before the half.
Williams drained a three-pointer at the first half buzzer to extend the Gaels' lead to 56-34 at the break.
Casimir had 18 points and Williams 16 at the half, while Gray and Bell led the Hornets with eight points each at intermission.
Iona was 18-for-36 from the field (50%), including 10-of-19 from three-point territory (52.6%) in the opening half.
Delaware State shot 35.1% from the floor (13-for-37) in the first half. The Hornets were also plagued by 14 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
For the game, DSU shot 37% from the field (27-for-73) and 30.6% from three-point territory (11-for-36). The Hornets committed 19 turnovers in the, most caused by Iona's full court press.
The Gaels won the rebound battle 43-38.
The Hornets will get little rest before travelling to Winston-Salem, N.C., to take on Wake Forest on Friday (Nov. 28). Game time is 7 p.m.
