NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Coppin State's
Kyle Cardaci poured in a career-high 18 points while
Koby Thomas poured in a season-high 17 points, but the Eagles fell at Iona College, 85-65, on Wednesday night at the Hynes Athletic Center. The Eagles now stand at 1-7 on the season and have dropped three-straight games.
A redshirt sophomore from Holmdel, N.J., Cardaci hit six 3-pointers to account for all of his points. Five of those 3-pointers came in the second half. Thomas made 7-of-16 shots while adding five rebounds and two steals.
Leading scorer
Anthony Tarke was hampered by foul trouble early but still finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals before fouling out.
The Eagles outshot Iona, 45.8% to 41.8% but Iona outrebounded Coppin, 51-25 and made 18-of-24 free throws compared to just 12-of-23 for the Navy & Gold. Iona grabbed 18 offensive rebounds compared to just two for Coppin and accumulated a 16-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Dwaine Jones, Jr. led Coppin with a season-high seven rebounds.
After a delayed start to the game, Coppin stayed close with Iona throughout the first half, but the Gaels hit a pair of jumpers in the moments to take a 36-31 halftime lead. The Gaels got the first bucket of the second half, which Cardaci answered with his first three of the period, but Iona got seven-straight points from Isaiah Ross (28 points) to extend the advantage to 45-34.
Cardaci got Coppin back into the game with three 3-pointers, two off passes from freshman
Kaelon Harkema (five points, four assists) who also converted on a layup, cutting the deficit to 48-45 with 12:04 left to play.
Iona regrouped and regained a double-digit advantage as Cardaci's final three at the 6:07 mark was Coppin's last field goal for nearly five minutes.
CSU returns to action on Saturday, December 26 for a clash at local rival Towson. Tipoff from SECU Arena is set for 2 pm and can be watched on FloHoops.
