HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Jordan Washington led Iona with 18 points and the Gaels raced out to a big first half lead to cruise by Fairleigh Dickinson 90-73 on Wednesday night.

Washington finished 6 of 10 from the field and added a game-high nine rebounds. Schadrac Casimir finished with 16 points and Sam Cassell Jr. and Rickey McGill each had 14 for Iona (5-3).

The Gaels outshot the Knights (2-6) 51.6 percent to 35.7 percent and won the rebounding battle 44-35.

Mike Holloway led Fairleigh Dickinson with 17 points. Stephan Jiggetts added 14 for the Knights.

The game was tied at 20 midway through the first half, but Iona closed by outscoring the Knights 34-15 over the final 9:53 for a 54-35 lead at the break. Casimir finished off a four-point play to put the Gaels up nine, and then added a 3 on the next possession to push the lead into double figures.