Iona Gaels Head to Niagara on Feb. 15 Looking to Extend Momentum
The Iona Gaels (15-11) make the short trip to the Gallagher Center in Niagara Falls on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 (ET) to face the Niagara Purple Eagles (6-19). Iona arrives off a 69-63 win over a conference rival, and the Gaels will lean on stingy free-throw shooting and improved perimeter offense as they try to avoid a trap game on the road.
Iona’s recent form and strengths
Iona’s last outing was notable for its balance and efficiency at the charity stripe. The Gaels sank 22 of 25 free throws (88. 0%) and hit 7 of 19 from beyond the arc in that 69-63 victory. The team shot 42. 6% from the field (20 of 47) while forcing 15 turnovers and collecting seven steals, showing active hands on defense that helped generate extra possessions.
Lamin Sabally paced the Gaels in the win, finishing with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and adding nine rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes. His combination of interior presence and dependable finishing gives Iona a go-to option inside, while the team’s outside shooting (35. 5% on the season) helps space the floor.
Season-long metrics underline Iona’s profile: the Gaels average 73. 4 points per game while connecting on 43. 7% of their field-goal attempts. They take care of the ball relatively well (11. 5 turnovers per game) and are active on the glass (34. 4 rebounds per game). On defense, Iona forces about 12 turnovers per contest but has struggled at times in halfcourt defense, allowing opponents to shoot 43. 4% from the field and 30. 4% from long range.
What to watch at the Gallagher Center
Niagara’s record (6-19) and recent loss leave the Purple Eagles vulnerable to a confident Iona squad that thrives on aggression and free-throw accuracy. The Gaels’ edge at the line will be critical in a game that could feature close possessions and late free-throw opportunities; if Iona continues to convert at its recent rate, it will be tough for Niagara to keep pace down the stretch.
Rebounding and turnover differential will likely decide this matchup. Iona’s ability to limit turnovers while forcing miscues on the defensive end creates extra scoring chances. If Niagara can control the glass and convert second-chance points, it can slow the Gaels’ transition game and keep the contest within reach.
Matchups to monitor include Iona’s interior scoring versus Niagara’s frontcourt, and perimeter defenders trying to corral Iona’s shooters. If Sabally gets room inside, he can draw double-teams that free up shooters. Conversely, if Niagara contains him and cleans the glass, the Purple Eagles could manufacture enough offense to pull off an upset.
Outlook
This is a classic road-test scenario for a team hunting a higher seed or stronger footing late in the regular season. Iona comes in with a clearer offensive identity—steady inside production, dependable free-throw shooting and perimeter threats—while Niagara must find ways to generate stops and extra possessions through offensive rebounding and forcing turnovers.
Expect a physical game played up and down the floor. Iona’s combination of efficiency at the line and an ability to limit turnovers gives it the upper hand, but Niagara’s home crowd and urgency create upset potential. The decisive factors will be rebounding margins and which team converts late free-throw opportunities.
