Mount St. Mary’s vs Iona Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/24/23

The Iona Gaels and the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers meet Friday in college basketball action from Knott Arena. Iona is currently 20-7 on the year. The Gaels beat Saint Peter’s in their last game. As for Mount St. Mary’s, they’re 10-18 following a win over Canisius on Sunday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Iona Gaels 

Iona hit a 13-7 run over their first 20 games this year. Since then, it’s been a seven-game win streak however. The Gaels have beaten Quinnipiac, Mount St. Mary’s, Fairfield, Canisius, Niagara, Manhattan and Saint Peter’s in that time. 

In the Saint Peter’s game on Sunday, Iona jumped out to a 37-23 edge by halftime. The Gaels managed a 36-30 second-half run and won it 73-53. Anton Brookshire logged 22 points and Nelly Junior Joseph doubled on 19 points and 10 boards in the victory. 

Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers 

Over on the Mount St. Mary’s side, they stumbled to a 7-13 run over their fist 20 outings. The Mountaineers are just 3-5 in their last eight, taking losses to Fairfield, Saint Peter’s, Iona, Siena and Fairfield again during that time. 

Back on Sunday versus Canisius, Mount St. Mary’s was down 33-29 at the break. The Mountaineers were able to rally on a 46-41 second-half stretch and win 75-74. Dakota Leffew was the high man on 22 points and Jalen Benjamin put up 10 points with 12 assists. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll stay with Iona in this one. The Gaels are looking good over this seven-game win streak, and they’ve really only had one or two challenging outings during that time. Iona has scored 70 or more points in each of those wins as well. These teams last met up back on February 3 at Hynes Athletic Center. In that one the Gaels didn’t have too much trouble after a 48-18 start and cruised to the win 81-51. This one probably won’t be so lopsided but the Gaels should still be in control.