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Iona College completed the three-peat this week, claiming their third straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship by virtue of their 83-71 victory over Fairfield at the Times Union Center in Albany to take the title.
With their 11th MAAC title - and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament - secured, Coach Tim Cluess’ and his squad have set their sights on Selection Sunday, when they find out their seed and opponent in the tournament, which kicks off next week. That information will come out beginning at 6 p.m. on the March Madness Selection Show on TBS.
Iona (20-13) was able to stretch a 43-37 halftime lead to a 57-41 mark before fending off a late rally by the Stags to claim a 12 point victory and championship gold. Iona became just the third team in conference history to claim three consecutive titles, and the first since Siena’s run ended in 2010.
In anticipation of Selection Sunday, Iona officials announced that there will be a viewing party for family, friends, fans and alumni hosted beginning at 4:45 p.m. on March 11 at the Hynes Center. Those interested can register here.
"The energy for the last three days, the preparation in between games, just the focus of guys being able to go through that weekend stretch and to accomplish what we did is just unbelievable,” first-year Director of Basketball Operations Ricky Johns said after the victory.
“It’s the best thing you could ever describe as a coach,” Cluess added. “Because you’re so proud of your guys and you feel so good that they had a moment like that together. They’ve accomplished something and worked hard for it.”
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