Ugly ending overshadows great game by Monmouth and Iona

Step aside Kentucky-Louisville. There’s a new big rivalry in college basketball…and it comes from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

There hasn’t been much love lost between the Iona and Monmouth men’s basketball teams in the previous year.

Not everyone loves the Monmouth bench mob, which has made a name for itself this season with its over-the-top in-game celebrations. He had nothing nice to say. “I saw a couple of them, and I’m not that happy about it. But when we see the video, something will happen from when people lose their cool”.

“Are they on the team?” he asked.

Iona will be without Jordan Washington for at least a game or two because of this. Despite 45 points from star guard A.J.

Off the court, things got ugly.

Groundwork for the chippy game, a 110-102 Monmouth victory, appeared to have been laid on Wednesday, as Iona head coach Tim Cluess went after the Monmouth bench, particularly the walk-ons that have earned national acclaim for their wacky antics during Monmouth’s successful season thus far.

“We hold our student-athletes to a higher standard than was displayed last night”, Cluess said.

Both teams remained on the court for several minutes, but some shouting and a bit more pushing and shoving was all that transpired.

The rematch, for those interested, will take place on February 19 at Monmouth.