Providence, RI - The Iona College women's basketball team saw a seven point halftime lead erased as Providence broke out in the second period to take a 73-64 victory.  With the loss, the Gaels dropped to 1-3 on the season while the Friars  improved to 2-1.

Iona held a 33-26 lead at halftime despite 18 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes of play.  The Gaels led in part to Providence's 24.4-percent shooting, as it connected on just 11 of 45 attempts in the first half.  Iona shot 11 of 27 in the opening half (40.7-percent).  Iona never trailed in the first 20 minutes, but the Friars did manage to tie the score on three different occasions.

In the second half, Providence went on a 15-8 scoring run to tie the game, 41-41, with 14:20 left to play.  PC went on to outscore the Maroon & Gold 17-5 over the next 6:10 to secure a 12 point lead (58-46) with 8:10 on the clock.  Iona trimmed the lead to four at 58-54 as Cat Lutz went on a rampage, sinking three straight baskets for eight points.  The margin would turn out to be as close as the Gaels would come the rest of the way.

Thazina Cook led Iona with 11 points and added nine rebounds.  Marissa Flagg came off the bench to score ten points while picking up five steals.  Co-captain Tiara Headen was the top rebounder with a game-high ten rebounds.  The Gaels held a 51-40 advantage on the boards.

Iona returns to action following a ten day break, hosting Seton Hall on Nov. 28.  Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm at the Hynes Athletics Center.