Late Gaels run bites Bulldogs, 64-53

ANCHORAGE – Sam Cassell Jr. delivered 15 points and seven assists to power a big second-half surge for Iona on Thursday as the Gaels outlasted Drake, 64-53, for a first-round victory in the GCI Great Alaska Shootout at the Alaska Airlines Center.

The Gaels (1-2) also got 14 points, six assists and six steals from reserve guard Deyshonee Much as they ended the game on a 14-1 run. Iona will face the winner of the final first-round game between UC Davis and Weber State on Friday at 8 p.m. in the tournament's second semifinal.

The Bulldogs (1-3) got 14 points and five rebounds from guard Reed Timmer, but could not hold a lead that grew to 38-28 early in the second half. Iona's surge started at that point, when guard Jon Severe sank three straight three-pointers for a personal 9-0 run, then drained another for a 42-41 lead.

Timmer gave his team the lead at 52-50 on a three-pointer with 6:08 remaining, however the Missouri Valley Conference team would not make another field goal.

Cassell tied it with a jumper at the 5:46 mark, and Taylor Bessick grabbed an offensive rebound that led to his only basket of the game, a go-ahead layup with 4:03 remaining. Cassell found Rickey McGill open for another corner trey on Iona's next possession, and the MAAC squad would ice it from there.

Drake will play the UC Davis/Weber State loser at 2 p.m. Friday in the consolation semifinals.

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