BYU vs. Iona Box Score

Slideshow by Jaren Wilkey of BYU Photo

DAYTON, Ohio – After trailing by 25 points in the first half, senior Noah Hartsock led the BYU men’s basketball team to the greatest comeback in NCAA Tournament history to secure a 78-72 win against the Iona Gaels in the First Four opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Hartsock scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half to lead BYU to the victory, including giving the Coguars their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer with 2:26 left in the game. Junior Brandon Davies scored 18 and snagged 15 boards, while Damarcus Harrison came of the bench to add 12 points. The three combined to shoot 22 of 34 from the field.

After Iona shot 24 of 41 (59 percent) in the first half and scored 55 points, the Cougar defense held the Gaels to just 7 of 29 (24 percent) in the second half and just 17 points. BYU held Iona scoreless for 9:16 in the second half during a 17-0 run to get back in the game.

Iona jumped out to a dominating 49-24 first half lead with sharp shooting and strong defense that forced BYU into 13 first half turnovers. The Cougars began their comeback by closing the half with nine-straight points to put make the score 55-40 heading into the break.

The Gaels extended the lead back to 18 at 60-42 early in the second before BYU shut down the Iona attack. BYU went on a 19-2 run keyed by Hartsock to get within one point at 62-61 with 8:42 left. The Cougars held the Gaels scoreless from the 17:20 mark until Iona nailed a three with 8:04 left in the game.

BYU narrowed the lead back to one at 65-64 with a Harrison trey with 6:51 left. Iona again refused to relent the lead and extended it back to six at 70-64. Hartsock then went on a personal 7-0 run to give the Cougars their first lead of the game at 71-70 with 2:24 remaining.

Davies helped seal the game with a two free throws and a blocked shot, which led to a breakaway three-point play for Brock Zylstra to put BYU up 76-70. Matt Carlino iced the game with two more free throws following a made Iona basket.

With the win, BYU advances to the second round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. The Cougars will take on Marquette in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday at 2:45 p.m. ET on CBS.

BYU vs. Iona Game Notes - NCAA First Four

Ticket Information for the First Four

No. 14 BYU Cougars

• 2011-12 Record: 25-8
• WCC Record: 12-4
• Head Coach: Dave Rose
• Alma Mater: Houston, 1983
• Career Record: 184-53 (7th)
• Record at BYU: Same

No. 14 Iona

• 2011-12 Record: 25-7
• MAAC Record: 15-3
• Head Coach: Tim Cluess
• Alma Mater: Hofstra, 1983
• Career Record: 50-19 (2nd)
• Record at Iona: Same

Series Information

• Tuesday’s game will be the first meeting between BYU and Iona.

Game Information

• 2012 NCAA Tournament
• Dayton, Ohio • UD Arena (13,435) • March 13, 2012 • 9 p.m. EST
• TV: truTV
• TV Talent: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Steve Kerr and Clark Kellogg (analysts), Tracy Wolfson (sideline)
• Live Video: www.ncaa.com/march-madness
• Radio: KSL 102.7 FM / 1160 AM • BYU Radio - Sirius XM 143
• Radio Talent: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play)
• Live Stats: BYUcougars.com

Up Next

• NCAA Second Round
• BYU/Iona vs. No. 3 Marquette
• March 15, Louisville

Quick Hits

• By receiving a bid to the 2012 NCAA Tournament as a No. 14 seed, BYU basketball has extended its streak of receiving tournament bids to six seasons. The Cougars have advanced in the tournament the last two years. In 2010, BYU defeated Florida in double overtime to advance to the round of 32. In 2011, the Cougars advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1981.
• Four Cougars earned West Coast Conference honors: Noah Hartsock (All-WCC), Brandon Davies (All-WCC), Matt Carlino (All-WCC Honorable Mention and All-Freshman) and Craig Cusick (All-Academic).