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          Ndefo, Lee's 3-pointer help Saint Peter's beat Iona 68-65

          Mar 7, 2020
          • Associated Press

          JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- KC Ndefo had 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, a career-high five steals and three blocks, Matthew Lee hit a 3-pointer with 3.6 seconds left, and Saint Peter's beat Iona 68-65 on Friday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

          Fousseyni Drame scored 14 points and Quinn Taylor added 10 for Saint Peter's. The Peacocks (17-12, 14-6 Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference), who tied the program record for MAAC wins in a season, earned a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed in next week's conference tournament.

          The Gaels (11-16, 9-11) used a 13-2 run to take a 61-57 lead with four minutes to play but made just 1 of 5 from the field and committed three turnovers the rest of the way. Iona's Tajuan Agee grabbed an offensive rebound, was fouled and made to free throws to make it 65-all with 33 seconds left. Aaron Estrada dribbled into the lane and kicked it out to Lee on the left side, who pump faked and hit leaning, contested 3.

          Iona moved the ball into the front court and called a timeout with 1.7 seconds left but Agee missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer.

          E.J. Crawford led Iona with 22 points and Agee finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

          The Gaels will be the No. 7 seed and play No. 10 seed Canisius in the first round of the conference tournament Tuesday. Iona has won the last four MAAC tournaments.

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