NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — E.J. Crawford scored 21 points and Iona made four free throws in the final 15 seconds and beat Niagara 79-76 on Sunday afternoon.
Raheem Solomon's tip-in with 75 seconds left gave the Purple Eagles their last lead at 76-75 as they missed their last two field-goal attempts. Tajuan Agee made a pair of free throws to put the Gaels ahead 77-76.
Niagara's Marvin Prochet missed a jumper with a second left. Asante Gist closed the scoring with a pair of free throws after getting fouled securing Prochet's miss.
Gist scored 19 points for Iona (8-15, 6-6 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), which broke its four-game losing streak. Rickey McGill added 18 points and eight assists. Ben Perez contributed 11 points and seven rebounds and Agee 10 with 10 rebounds.
Marcus Hammond had 18 points and six rebounds for the Purple Eagles (11-14, 4-8). Prochet added 17 points and eight rebounds. Raheem Solomon and Dominik Fragala each scored 10.
The Gaels evened the season series against the Purple Eagles with the win. Niagara defeated Iona 95-90 on Jan. 11. Iona takes on Siena on the road on Wednesday. Niagara plays Manhattan at home on Friday.
