By Ryan Lazo
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Lamont ‘Momo’ Jones knew the situation his Iona Gaels were facing. The possibility of another MAAC Conference loss, this one on their home court to a rival.
But he also knew how to stop it from happening and he did so by playing defense, inciting inspiring play from the rest of his teammates as Iona pulled away from the Manhattan Jaspers in a 76-70 victory at the Hynes Athletic Center.
The Jaspers (4-10, 2-2) took Iona by surprise in the first half, dominating play from nearly the opening tip. After Taaj Ridley scored five consecutive points, Manhattan took a collective breath and leaned on their coach for support.
And on this night, Steve Masiello had the answers. Surveying the Gaels’ (9-6, 3-1) defense, he relayed plays from the sidelines, operating like an NFL offensive coordinator would. And his play-calls gashed a hole in Iona’s home armor.
“I was ready to throw a party,” Masiello said after his Jaspers took a 36-30 lead at the half. “In the second half though, I was ready to bring myself to the nearest bridge.”
The reason for the prompt change came down to the one player on the court who could take over the game, and he did just that.
Jones walked off the court with teammate Sean Armand at the end of the first half, discussing how to impact the game. When he returned to the court, there was a clear fire in his eyes.
The senior guard scored his team’s first eight points of the half, two of them from beyond the arc, but perhaps more important was his defense.
“I have to be aggressive to get my team going,” Jones said afterward. “I’m the captain of this team and I have to play with everything I got.”
And the normally offensive-minded Jones instead gave everything he had on the defensive side of the ball. On three consecutive Manhattan possessions, Jones drew charges, the third one bringing the entire Iona bench to life.
“The fact that he established himself on the defensive end really made the difference,” Iona coach Tim Cluess said of Jones’ four charges drawn. “I think getting that stop or two got him excited as well and brought some life to him on the offensive end.”
It was the life that Iona needed, too.
With everyone else looking elsewhere for a leader on the court, Jones quickly stepped up to fill the void. In a display of his offensive prowess, Jones dropped in 30 points on 8-for-17 shooting, picked up two steals, grabbed two boards and of course his four charges drawn in the game.
While the Gaels were led by Jones, his 6-foot-7 forward also picked up some of the scoring slack. Ridley was active all night on the offensive and defensive ends, picking up one block and seven rebounds.
But his impact on the offensive end — 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting — was crucial.
On a day when Sean Armand struggled from the field, scoring just six points on 1-for-7 shooting, others needed to answer and Ridley did just that.
“He played with great energy today and he’s taking a leadership role,” Clueless said of Ridley. “It started with the practice yesterday and he continued it tonight.”
However, there is no need for a microscope to tell one where the Gaels are going this season. Their season is in the hand of their talented senior guard who holds the keys to either their success or failure.
Jones was the reason Iona won against a tough Jaspers squad, leading by example with his defense and setting the tone with his offense. But Iona fans have also seen the bad side of the Gaels’ leading man.
Against St. Peter’s, a 4-for-14 shooting night and numerous bad decisions cost the Gaels a game they should have won. But he can tantalize everyone when he plays like he did against Manhattan.
“Momo got on such a roll in the second half that you can’t even let him touch the ball,” Masiello said. “You almost have to zone out, get the ball out of his hands and let someone else beat you.”
And that’s the key for Iona this season.
They have now won three straight games and four out of their last five, but Jones is the x-factor the rest of the way.
While he continually takes the breaths away from opponents and fans alike with his array of offensive moves, it’s on the defensive side of the ball where the biggest impact is made.
Defense wins games and while Jones’ scoring output helped defeat Manhattan, it was the four charges drawn that changed momentum, momentum that can stay with the Gaels if he continues to focus on defense.
Ryan Lazo can be reached on Twitter @RMLazo13
Count me among those who thought the Gaels would struggle this year because of the loss of Scott Machado and Michael Glover and Randy Dezouvre. Momo Jones is proving himself as a leader. Had the chance to catch him in action at Bona. He pulled Tavon Sledge aside after one whistle to talk to him about defending ball screens. It was obvious he was reinforcing what goes on in practice. It was also obvious that Sledge and his teammates accept him as someone they look up to.
Love the Masiello quote: “In the second half though, I was ready to bring myself to the nearest bridge.”