Iona Edges Merrimack in Nail-Biter Showdown
Thursday, January 22, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Hynes Athletics Center
Iona Gaels 61, Merrimack Warriors 60, 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 Merrimack Warriors vs Iona Gaels?
Iona Gaels beat Merrimack Warriors 61-60 at Hynes Athletics Center on January 22, 2026.
Who was favored in Merrimack Warriors vs Iona Gaels?
Merrimack Warriors were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling encounter, the Iona Gaels narrowly defeated the Merrimack Warriors with a final score of 61-60 at the Hynes Athletics Center. This game was notable not only for its close finish but also for the contrasting recent forms of both teams leading up to this matchup. Iona came into the game with a record of 13-8, while Merrimack held a record of 12-9. The stakes were high as both teams aimed to improve their standings in the NCAAB league.
Iona's recent form had been inconsistent, with a record of 5-5 over their last ten games. They were on a two-game losing streak, having lost to the Saint Peter's Peacocks and the Rider Broncs in their previous outings. In those games, Iona averaged 66.4 points scored while allowing 70.3 points against. Their home record stood at 4-0, but they struggled away, managing only one win in six attempts. In their last five games, they averaged 62.8 points scored and 66.6 points allowed.
Conversely, Merrimack entered the game with a strong record of 8-2 in their last ten games, riding a two-game winning streak. They had recently defeated the Marist Red Foxes and the Quinnipiac Bobcats, showcasing their offensive prowess with an average of 69.7 points scored and only 64.9 points allowed during this stretch. Merrimack's away record was solid at 4-2, and they averaged 70.0 points scored and 65.4 points allowed in their last five games.
The teams had met once before in the 2025 season, where Merrimack triumphed over Iona with a score of 77-70. This prior meeting added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as Iona sought to avenge that loss on their home court.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any notable absences for either team, which meant both squads were likely at full strength for this crucial contest. The market, as reported by DraftKings, had Merrimack favored by a spread of 1.5 points, with a total set at 143.5. The moneyline odds reflected a slight lean towards Merrimack at -115, compared to Iona's -105.
The game's conditions were typical for a basketball matchup, with no unusual weather or venue issues reported. Fans were treated to a competitive atmosphere as both teams battled for supremacy.
As the game unfolded, the scoring was tightly contested throughout. Key moments included Lamin Sabally making crucial free throws that kept Merrimack in the game, and a driving layup from Kevair Kennedy that briefly gave Merrimack the lead. However, Iona responded with a critical three-point jumper from Toby Harris, which ultimately sealed their victory.
The final moments were tense, with both teams exchanging leads and the score tightly knit. Iona's ability to execute in clutch situations proved decisive, allowing them to secure the win by a single point. This victory not only boosts Iona's confidence but also highlights their resilience in overcoming recent struggles.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MRMK -1.5 | 143.5 o -112 / u -108 | Merrimack Warriors -115 · Iona Gaels -105 |
Leaders
- PointsDenver Anglin22Iona Gaels
- AssistsLamin Sabally5Iona Gaels
- ReboundsLamin Sabally6Iona Gaels
- PointsKevair Kennedy23Merrimack Warriors
- AssistsKevair Kennedy3Merrimack Warriors
- ReboundsKC Ugwuakazi9Merrimack Warriors
Recent form
Iona Gaels
Last 10: 5-5Streak L266.4 scored · 70.3 allowed per game4-0 at home
- L63-77at Saint Peter's PeacocksJan 19
- L68-72at Rider BroncsJan 15
- W74-48vs Canisius Golden GriffinsJan 11
- W71-53vs Niagara Purple EaglesJan 10
- L38-83at Marist Red FoxesJan 4
- W75-72vs Siena SaintsJan 3
- L59-66at Mount St. Mary's MountaineersDec 30
- W83-78at Vermont CatamountsDec 20
- L64-91at St. John's Red StormDec 13
- W69-63vs Bryant BulldogsDec 11
Merrimack Warriors
Last 10: 8-2Streak W269.7 scored · 64.9 allowed per game4-2 away
- W68-55at Marist Red FoxesJan 19
- W83-71vs Quinnipiac BobcatsJan 17
- L63-76at Saint Peter's PeacocksJan 11
- W63-59at Siena SaintsJan 10
- W73-66vs Manhattan JaspersJan 4
- W75-65vs Mount St. Mary's MountaineersJan 2
- W80-72at Sacred Heart PioneersDec 29
- L59-66at Vermont CatamountsDec 14
- W59-56at Princeton TigersDec 10
- W74-63vs Fairfield StagsDec 7
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 | Merrimack Warriors | Iona Gaels |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-54 | 20-54 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 5-18 | 11-28 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 39 |
| Free throws | 7-12 | 10-15 |
| Free throw % | 58 | 67 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 11 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 19 |
| Assists | 9 | 15 |
| Steals | 7 | 9 |
| Blocks | 8 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 4 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 18 |
| Fouls | 14 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 6 |
| Lead changes | 15 | 15 |
| Time in front | 29 | 54 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half21-25CJ Anthony makes free throw 3 of 3
- 1st Half23-25KC Ugwuakazi makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 1st Half25-25KC Ugwuakazi makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 1st Half25-28Denver Anglin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Lamin Sabally assists)
- 1st Half27-28Tye Dorset makes 8-foot pullup jump shot
- 1st Half30-28Todd Brogna makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kevair Kennedy assists)
- 1st Half30-31Denver Anglin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Lamin Sabally assists)
- 1st Half32-31Kevair Kennedy makes driving layup (Todd Brogna assists)
- 1st Half33-31Ernest Shelton makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half33-33Kosy Akametu makes 12-foot step back jumpshot (Lamin Sabally assists)
- 2nd Half35-33Kevair Kennedy makes driving layup
- 2nd Half35-35Lamin Sabally makes 2-foot dunk (Kosy Akametu assists)
- 2nd Half38-35Ernest Shelton makes 26-foot three pointer (Kevair Kennedy assists)
- 2nd Half38-37Lamin Sabally makes driving layup (Denver Anglin assists)
- 2nd Half38-38Lamin Sabally makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half38-39Lamin Sabally makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-39Kevair Kennedy makes driving layup (Tye Dorset assists)
- 2nd Half40-42Toby Harris makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half40-45Chase Cormier makes 24-foot three point jumper (Denver Anglin assists)
- 2nd Half42-45Ernest Shelton makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half44-45Kevair Kennedy makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-45Kevair Kennedy makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-45Kevair Kennedy makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-45Kevair Kennedy makes driving layup
- 2nd Half48-48Toby Harris makes 24-foot three point jumper (CJ Anthony assists)
- 2nd Half48-49Lamin Sabally makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-52Denver Anglin makes 25-foot three pointer (CJ Anthony assists)
- 2nd Half50-52KC Ugwuakazi makes layup
- 2nd Half50-53Lamin Sabally makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-54Lamin Sabally makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-54Kevair Kennedy makes layup
- 2nd Half54-54Ernest Shelton makes 19-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half54-55Lamin Sabally makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-56Lamin Sabally makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-56Kevair Kennedy makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-56Kevair Kennedy makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-56Andrés Marrero makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-56Andrés Marrero makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-58Lamin Sabally makes 2-foot dunk (CJ Anthony assists)
- 2nd Half60-61Toby Harris makes 22-foot three point jumper (Lamin Sabally assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Iona Gaels, below favours Merrimack Warriors.
Venue
- Hynes Athletics CenterNew Rochelle, NY
- Attendance1820
- OfficialsRobert Riley, Greg Evans, Tyler Sandmann
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