Updated

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) A.J. English scored 31 and Iona led by as many as 21 in the first half before cruising to a 83-67 win over Monmouth (NJ) on Friday night.

Aaron Rountree scored 13, Deyshonee Much added 11 and Jordan Washington had 10 points for Iona, which pulled to within a half-game of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference-leading Hawks.

The Gaels (16-10, 13-4) scored 19 consecutive points, as Monmouth went scoreless for seven-plus minutes, to take a 15-point lead with eight minutes left in the first half.

A 3 by Much gave Iona a 41-20 lead about four minutes later, the Gaels went into the break up by 19 and led by double figures throughout the second half.

Justin Robinson led Monmouth (22-6, 14-3) with 21 points.

The teams were involved in a scuffle following the Hawks' 110-102 win over Iona on Jan. 15 which resulted in a two-game suspension for Gaels' forward Jordan Washington.