New Rochelle, NY - Three players hit double figures as the Iona College women's basketball team won its third straight game, defeating Wagner 74-67. The Gaels (6-5) are off to their best start since the 1988-89 campaign, while the Seahawks (1-8) have dropped six straight.
Martina Weber scored 13 points to pace the Maroon & Gold, her third straight double digit scoring effort since returning from injury. Toni Horvath turned in 12 points, two rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while Anna McLean added 10 points and five boards off the bench.
Lauren DeFalco handed out a career-high 10 assists for the Gaels. Regan Pettijohnn and Tiara Headen both registered eight points and six boards.
Andrea Reed led Wagner with 19 points, four rebounds, and seven assists. John'a Poole added 13 while Takesha Dye had 12.
After a slow start that saw Iona fall behind by four, the Gaels went on a 14-0 spurt to take control of the game at the 9:30 mark, 17-7. Six different players scored in the run for the Maroon & Gold, who would never trail again.
The pesky Seahawks fought back to within 21-20 on a Poole basket with 5:26 to play in the first. Weber answered with a three-point play to spark a 10-0 Gael run, and Iona would cruise into halftime with a 38-25 lead.
A Horvath three was part of a 9-0 spurt out of the break that saw the Gaels go ahead 49-25 while holding Wagner scoreless for the first 8:52 of the half.
Pettijohn's bucket with 6:20 to go put Iona ahead 60-41 before the Seahawks mounted a late charge. Dye scored to cap a 21-8 Wagner run that brought the visitors to within six with 39 seconds remaining. Headen and Horvath would combine to go 6-for-6 from the line in the final half minute as the Gaels held on for the 74-67 win.
Iona shot a sizzling 52.0% from the floor, its best performance of the season. The Gaels enjoyed a 38-22 advantage on the glass and a 34-26 edge in points in the paint.
After breaking for the holidays, Iona will go for its fourth straight win while visiting the University of Central Florida on Dec. 28.
