Hammond, Salnave send Monmouth past Iona

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) — Deion Hammond scored 25 points and Ray Salnave scored 15 with six rebounds and five assists and Monmouth beat Iona 94-88 on Sunday.

Marcus McClary scored 12 for Monmouth (12-7, 6-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference), Samuel Chaput 11, and George Papas added 10 off the bench.

The Hawks finished 14 of 32 (43.8%) from 3-point range.

Monmouth led 46-45 before the Gaels (5-10, 3-5) used an 8-0 run to start the second half with Asante Gist scoring on a layup, 3-pointer and a three-point play. The Hawks countered with 10-0 run and never trailed again. Hammond’s 3 with 5:10 left made it an 86-74 lead. Isaiah Washington’s layup with 40 seconds left brought Iona within 90—88 before Papas and Salnave each sank a pair of free throws to blunt the threat.

Washington scored 25 points with 10 rebounds, Gist 22, Tajaun Agee 16, and Isaiah Ross 15. The Gaels finished 17 of 32 (54.8%) from 3-point range.

The difference was at the foul line where Monmouth made 24 of 32 to 7 of 12 for Iona.