ALBANY, N.Y. -- David Nichols scored 18 points and Greig Stire added 15 points and 12 rebounds- seven on the offensive end -- and Albany held off Iona 69-67 on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Nichols made all four of his free throws in the final 11 seconds and the Great Danes were 7-for-8 shooting from the free-throw line in the last 28 seconds. Albany shot 17 for 19 from the line and Iona was 11 for 14 at the free-throw line.

Albany led 34-23 at halftime before the Gaels started a 15-4 and tied it at 38 with Zach Lewis' layup with 14:48 left to play. Neither team led by more than five points the rest of the way, and Nichols put the Great Danes ahead for good with a 3 that made it 57-55 with 4:08 remaining.

TK Edogi led Iona with 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting and had nine rebounds and Deyshonee Much added 15 points.

Albany got its first-ever win against Iona, which leads the brief series 2-1. It was the first meeting between the two programs since 2010.