COLLEGE HOOPS

The middle of the MAAC got messier yesterday after Iona’s 92-88 neutral-site win over Marist at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.

The victory pushed Iona (12-14, 8-8) within a half-game of fourth place in the conference. The MAAC’s top four teams earn a bye through the league tournament’s first round.

“A gutty win,” Gaels coach Jeff Ruland said. “Now we’ve put our hat back into the ring for a bye.

Steve Burtt’s career-high 38 points paced the Gaels (12-14, 8-8), who played without starter Ricky Soliver. Soliver suffered a concussion late in Friday night’s loss at St. Peter’s and, as of yesterday’s final buzzer, remained in a Jersey City hospital.

The junior guard, who averages 13 points and six rebounds and leads Iona in assists, didn’t watch the MSG Network telecast of the game but received telephone updates from a sister watching at home. Ruland said he expects Soliver, an All Hallows alum, to miss the team’s final two regular-season games and the tournament.

“[Soliver’s] such a big part of this team,” Burtt said. “Coach asked everyone on the team to step up without him here, and everyone did.”

Senior center Greg Jenkins scored 21 points for the Gaels, who shot 72 percent from the field in the second half. Will Whittington had 29 points for Marist (11-13, 8-8).

N.C. A&T 67, Howard 63

In Washington, Sean Booker scored 17 points and Jason Wills added 15 to help North Carolina A&T come from behind to defeat Howard.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Aggies (5-21, 4-11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), while the Bison (5-19, 2-13) dropped their 13th straight.

Reggie Bates scored a career-high 19 points, Will Gant added 13 and Darryl Hudson scored 12 points for A&T.