Burns sinks winning point as Siena edges past Iona 65-64

ALBANY N.Y. (AP) — Elijah Burns hit the winning free throw with 2.3 seconds remaining and Siena defeated four-time defending conference champion Iona 65-64 on Wednesday night, pulling into a first-place tie with idle Saint Peter’s.

Burns finished with 19 points for the Saints (14-10, 10-5 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), Manny Camper led with 21 points and Jalen Pickett scored 18 with 11 rebounds.

E.J. Crawford led Iona with 23 points and pulled the Gaels (9-13, 7-8) into a 64-64 tie with 9.5 seconds remaining — coolly sinking two free throws despite howls from the 6,897 in attendance at the Times Union Center where Siena has been unbeaten all season.

Tajuan Agee added 19 points with seven boards and two blocks for the Gaels, who saw the end of a four-game win streak and Isaiah Ross scored 16.

With four blocked shots and seven steals, Iona scored 22 points off of 13 Siena turnovers as it fought out of a 40-28 halftime hole.

The Saints improve to 2-0 against the Gaels on the season. Siena defeated Iona 87-64 on Jan. 31. Siena plays Fairfield on the road on Sunday. Iona takes on Rider at home on Friday.