Riverdale, NY - Scoring 43 points in the closing half, Iona women's basketball defeated Manhattan by a final score of 72-62. The Gaels are now 3-0 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action, while the Jaspers sit at 1-2.

Leading the Maroon & Gold with 23 points and five rebounds was Martina Weber, playing in just her fifth game this season. Regan Pettijohn and Anna McLean each scored 12, and Tiara Headen grabbed a team-high nine boards.

Weber opened the scoring with a jumper at 18:45 in the first half. From there, the teams traded buckets bringing the tally to 22-all with five minutes on the clock. The Jaspers pulled away with consecutive free throws, leading by as much as six with 2:59 to go. Iona hung in, heading to halftime down 32-39.

The score remained close throughout most of the second period. Trailing 54-53 with 7:22 left in the game, the Gaels went on an 18-9 rampage sparked by a three from Headen. With the opponent forced to foul, Iona coverted five consecutive free throws down the stretch to pull away with the ten point victory.

The Gaels return to action on Jan. 8, hosting Siena at 7:30 pm.