Gaels Lose Two Straight

The Iona College women's basketball team (9-14, 5-6 MAAC) lost a gutsy overtime battle, falling 67-63 to Fairfield (15-7, 8-3 MAAC) to end a four-game winning streak. The loss also put a stop to the Gaels' string of seven consecutive home victories over the Stags.

After falling behind 4-0 to begin the night, Iona scored eight straight points to lead 8-4 six minutes into the contest. With the exception of a 10-10 tie and a fleeting one-point Fairfield edge, the Maroon & Gold led for the remainder of the first half and was in front by as many as eight points at the 6:21 mark. The Stags cut it to one on an 8-1 run and pulled in front on a layup by Alexys Vazquez with 1:16 to go in the half. A steal by Tomica Bacic led to a Jessica Scannell trifecta as Iona regained the advantage to take a 27-25 lead into the locker room.

The close-matched second half showcased eight tied scores, with the lead changing hands eight times and neither team able to break away by more than five at any point. The Gaels were ahead 57-55 with five seconds left in regulation when Katelyn Linney drove to the basket for a score to force Iona's second overtime situation in three games.

The Gaels controlled the jump ball to open the extra frame and pulled in front by two on a jumper by Bacic. The Stags then registered the next six points, four coming from Taryn Johnson, and went on to outscore Iona 10-6 in the period.

Anda Ivkovic recorded her third consecutive double-double, leading Iona with 20 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Bacic followed with 15 points and eight boards while Marissa Flagg added nine points and led all players with six assists.

On Sunday the 6th,Senior Anda Ivkovic recorded her record-setting fourth consecutive double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Iona College women's basketball team was beaten in double overtime at Rider by a score of 93-87.

Tied at 65 at the end of regulation, Iona opened the first overtime period scoring nine of ten points, including five by Jackie Marshall, to lead 74-66 with 3:07 on the clock. Trailing by eight once again with 2:06 left, Rider ended the frame on an 8-0 run.

The Gaels seemed to have a win in hand, leading 78-75 with time running out. The Broncs' Shereen Lightbourne put up a last-ditch three point shot as the clock ran down to zero, but a foul was called on Iona to send Lightbourne to the line with 0.3 seconds on the board. Lightbourne hit all three attempts, tying the score at 78-all to force a second overtime.

Rider opened the final overtime with a 7-2 run and led by as much as seven (89-82) with 24 seconds remaining. Iona cut the difference to four twice down the stretch, but could not get any closer.

Marshall finished with career highs in points (17), three-pointers (5), rebounds (3), and minutes (21). Kristina Ford posted her fourth double digit performance in five games with 12 points, despite struggling at just 3-for-17 from the floor. Marissa Flagg added ten points and a team-high seven assists while Tomica Bacic also had ten points.

Iona played its third overtime contest in four games, dropping its second straight in extra minutes. The squad next hosts Marist on Feb. 11 in a game to be televised on ESPNU beginning at 4:30 pm.