Mount St. Mary's Defeats Iona in Close Contest
Monday, December 29, 2025, 7:00 PM ET · Knott Arena
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers 66, Iona Gaels 59, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Iona Gaels vs Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers?
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers beat Iona Gaels 66-59 at Knott Arena on December 29, 2025.
Who was favored in Iona Gaels vs Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers?
Iona Gaels were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -142 (about 59% implied). The underdog won.
In a notable matchup at Knott Arena, the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers triumphed over the Iona Gaels with a final score of 66-59. This victory marks a significant moment for the Mountaineers, who improved their record to 6-9, while the Gaels fell to 9-6. The game showcased the Mountaineers' resilience, particularly after their recent struggles, and highlighted the competitive nature of college basketball.
Entering the game, Mount St. Mary's had a home record of 5-9, reflecting their challenges throughout the season. In their last ten games, they recorded a 3-7 record, with their most recent performance resulting in a victory against Penn State Brandywine Lions, where they won decisively 73-42. The Mountaineers averaged 70.1 points scored and allowed 77.9 points per game over this stretch, indicating a tendency for high-scoring affairs. Their last five games showed a slightly better trend, with an average of 71.4 points scored and 68.2 points allowed, demonstrating a potential improvement in their defensive efforts.
On the other hand, Iona entered the game with a stronger away record of 9-5, having won six of their last ten games. They had recently secured a win against Vermont Catamounts, scoring 83-78, and averaged 78.4 points scored while allowing 78.5 points in their last ten games. In their last five games, Iona managed to score an average of 73.0 points while allowing 78.0 points, indicating a similar trend of high-scoring contests.
The matchup was particularly intriguing given the teams' recent head-to-head history, which stood at 1-1 for the season. In their previous encounters, Iona had won 63-49 on March 15, while Mount St. Mary's had narrowly lost 67-70 on February 7. This game was expected to be competitive, and it lived up to that expectation.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any significant player absences that would impact the game, allowing both teams to field their best lineups. The conditions at Knott Arena were conducive to a spirited contest, with the home crowd likely providing an advantage for the Mountaineers.
The market, as reported by DraftKings, had Iona favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 153.5. The odds reflected the expectation of a close game, and the final score confirmed that anticipation. The Mountaineers' performance not only defied the odds but also showcased their ability to compete at a high level, especially on their home court.
As the game unfolded, the scoring plays highlighted the tension and competitiveness of the matchup. Key moments included free throws from Mason So and Xavier Lipscomb, which helped Mount St. Mary's maintain their lead in the closing minutes. The final scoring plays saw CJ Anthony contribute crucial points, solidifying the Mountaineers' victory.
Overall, this game was a testament to the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where home court advantage and recent form can significantly influence outcomes. Mount St. Mary's victory against Iona serves as a reminder of their potential and resilience, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | IONA -2.5 | 153.5 o -108 / u -112 | Iona Gaels -142 · Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers +120 |
Leaders
- PointsLuke McEldon18Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers
- AssistsArlandus Keyes5Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers
- ReboundsXavier Lipscomb9Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers
- PointsDenver Anglin13Iona Gaels
- AssistsDenver Anglin3Iona Gaels
- ReboundsLamin Sabally11Iona Gaels
Recent form
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers
Last 10: 3-7Streak W170.1 scored · 77.9 allowed per game2-1 at home
- W73-42vs Penn State Brandywine LionsDec 21
- L67-75at Drexel DragonsDec 20
- W81-73at Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsDec 13
- L56-64at Marist Red FoxesDec 6
- L80-87vs Sacred Heart PioneersDec 4
- W79-75vs Howard BisonNov 29
- L60-113at Ohio State BuckeyesNov 25
- L60-83at Western Michigan BroncosNov 23
- L90-95at Maryland TerrapinsNov 20
- L55-72at Cincinnati BearcatsNov 16
Iona Gaels
Last 10: 6-4Streak W178.4 scored · 78.5 allowed per game4-2 away
- W83-78at Vermont CatamountsDec 20
- L64-91at St. John's Red StormDec 13
- W69-63vs Bryant BulldogsDec 11
- W81-69at Sacred Heart PioneersDec 7
- L68-89vs Quinnipiac BobcatsDec 6
- W89-66at Delaware Blue HensDec 2
- L75-80vs Green Bay PhoenixNov 24
- W91-84at Oregon State BeaversNov 22
- L75-96at Akron ZipsNov 21
- W89-69vs Princeton TigersNov 19
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack | 23-11 | - | 17-3 |
| Saint Peter's | 17-12 | 3 | 14-6 |
| Siena | 23-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Marist | 19-12 | 5 | 12-8 |
| Quinnipiac | 19-13 | 5 | 12-8 |
| Fairfield | 21-13 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Mount St. Mary's | 15-17 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Iona | 18-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Sacred Heart | 14-19 | 8 | 9-11 |
| Manhattan | 12-20 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Canisius | 10-21 | 12 | 5-15 |
| Niagara | 8-22 | 12 | 5-15 |
| Rider | 4-25 | 14 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Iona Gaels | Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 21-65 | 27-58 |
| Field goal % | 32 | 47 |
| Three-pointers | 9-34 | 3-17 |
| Three-point % | 26 | 18 |
| Free throws | 8-10 | 9-15 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 60 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 43 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 35 |
| Assists | 10 | 13 |
| Steals | 9 | 12 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 16 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 16 | 22 |
| Fast-break points | 13 | 26 |
| Points in the paint | 18 | 44 |
| Fouls | 14 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 12 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 44 | 53 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half33-28Lamin Sabally makes 13-foot jumper
- 1st Half33-30Trey Deveaux makes driving layup
- 2nd Half33-32Luke McEldon makes layup (Anastasios Rozakeas assists)
- 2nd Half35-32Keshawn Williams makes 15-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half37-32Lamin Sabally makes layup (Keshawn Williams assists)
- 2nd Half39-32Lamin Sabally makes driving layup
- 2nd Half41-32Denver Anglin makes driving layup
- 2nd Half41-33Anthony Arrington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-35Justin Amadi makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half41-37Anthony Arrington makes driving layup
- 2nd Half41-39Anthony Arrington makes 21-foot step back jumpshot (Arlandus Keyes assists)
- 2nd Half41-42Anthony Arrington makes 24-foot three point jumper (Arlandus Keyes assists)
- 2nd Half42-42Kosy Akametu makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-42Kosy Akametu makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-43Abdou Khadre Kébé makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-44Abdou Khadre Kébé makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-45Abdou Khadre Kébé makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-46Abdou Khadre Kébé makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-46Alliou Fall makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-46Khalil Badru makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half46-48Justin Amadi makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half46-50Luke McEldon makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-52Abdou Khadre Kébé makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Arlandus Keyes assists)
- 2nd Half46-54Trey Deveaux makes layup (Arlandus Keyes assists)
- 2nd Half46-56Justin Amadi makes layup (Abdou Khadre Kébé assists)
- 2nd Half46-58Arlandus Keyes makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half49-58Denver Anglin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Toby Harris assists)
- 2nd Half49-60Luke McEldon makes layup
- 2nd Half50-60CJ Anthony makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-60CJ Anthony makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-60Lamin Sabally makes 4-foot dunk (CJ Anthony assists)
- 2nd Half53-62Justin Amadi makes layup (Anthony Arrington assists)
- 2nd Half55-62Lamin Sabally makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half55-63Mason So makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-64Mason So makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-64CJ Anthony makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-64CJ Anthony makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-65Xavier Lipscomb makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-66Xavier Lipscomb makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-66CJ Anthony makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers, below favours Iona Gaels.
Venue
- Knott ArenaEmmitsburg, MD
- Attendance2176
- OfficialsBill Covington Jr., Josean Vega, Vasili Mallios
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond