Mount St. Mary's secures first MAAC Championship title over Iona

In Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday night, the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers won their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship title by defeating the Iona Gaels with a score of 63-49. Dallas Hobbs was a standout player, contributing 18 points and seven assists to lead his team. The Mountaineers began to take control of the game about four minutes into the second half and eventually closed the match with a 20-8 run, showcasing their strong performance towards the end. Mount St. Mary's entered the game as the sixth seed and had previously struggled against Iona, holding a 2-7 record against them. This victory marked a significant achievement for Mount St. Mary’s, improving their overall season record to 22-12 and surpassing their previous best of 21 wins from the 1995-96 season. The game was tightly contested, with Iona leading at halftime, 26-25. However, the Mountaineers managed to gain the upper hand and build a lead that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Dola Adebayo and Hobbs each hit critical three-pointers during a decisive scoring run in the closing minutes, propelling Mount St. Mary's to victory. Dejour Reaves led Iona with 19 points, but it was not enough to overcome the determined Mountaineers, who proved to be formidable opponents. This championship win is a notable accomplishment for Mount St. Mary's, who transitioned to the MAAC from the Northeast Conference after a long tenure. Their performance during the tournament has not only highlighted their growth as a program but also brought recognition to the university's athletic efforts. The victory at the MAAC Championship sets a promising foundation for future seasons and elevates the Mountaineers' status in collegiate basketball.