Rutgers 81, Iona 73: Myles Mack scored 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting as the Scarlet Knights nearly blew a 22-point second half lead before holding on for their fifth win in the last six games at the MSG Holiday Festival.

After a Dane Miller three-point play pushed Rutgers' lead to 64-42 with 10:31 left, the Gaels came rallying back. Two A.J. English free throws capped a 27-6 run as Iona cut its deficit to 70-69 with 2:31 left before a Mack three-point play and four Miller points sealed the Scarlet Knights' victory.

Mike Poole finished with 18 points for Rutgers (5-2), while Miller (13), Eli Carter (12) and Wally Judge (10) also scored in double figures. The Scarlet Knights shot 48.4 percent from the field and 37.5 percent (6-for-16) from 3-point range.

Trailing 16-15 with 7:18 left in the first half, Mack and Judge hit back-to-back jumpers before Poole scored eight straight on a jumper and two 3-pointers as Rutgers pushed its lead all the way to 34-18 with 1:52 to go in the half. A Sean Armand 3-pointer keyed a 5-1 Iona run as the Gaels (3-4) pulled within 35-23 at the break.

After Rutgers built its lead up to a game-high 22, Armand scored seven points to lead Iona's comeback. Armand finished with 20 points while Lamont Jones scored a game-high 26 before fouling out with 11 seconds left.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Iona was 18-for-18 from the foul line. ... Rutgers improved to 3-1 all-time against the Gaels and 10-9 in the event. ... Curtis Dennis scored 12 points for Iona on 3-of-5 3-point shooting.