New Rochelle, NY - Senior Lauren DeFalco and sophomore Thazina Cook each had a game-high 15 points, but it was not enough to solve Seton Hall as the Pirates (5-2) defeated the Iona College women's basketball team (1-4) by a score of 63-57 at the Hynes Athletics Center.

The 15 point total was a career-best for Cook, who shot four-for-four from the free throw line.  Jadis Rhodin and Ebonie Williams led SHU with 13 points apiece.

Cook put Iona on the scoreboard with a three-pointer seven seconds into the opening half, then added a jumper at the 16:45 mark for an early 5-0 Gael lead.  The Pirates answered with five points of their own to tie the score, but DeFalco recorded Iona's next six to keep the Gaels ahead.

SHU's Ashley Booker grabbed a shot off the glass and brought it to the other end of the court for a layup to tie the game at 13-all, then added one more on a good free throw attempt with 11:54 on the clock to push the Pirates to the lead.  Following a basket from the charity stripe by Naeemah Ricketts which brought the Gaels even at 16-16, Seton Hall moved in front for the remainder of the night on a layup by Williams.  The visitors outscored the hosts 15-9 over the last nine minutes to bring a 33-25 advantage into the second half.

The Pirates took their largest lead of the night, a brief 14-point spread, with 7:43 to go in the second period on a bucket by Noteisha Womack.  DeFalco dropped one in from long distance eight seconds later to cut into the SHU edge.  Iona would come to within four points with under two minutes to play, but was unable to hang on.

Both teams picked up 11 steals in the contest, while the Maroon & Gold held a slight 42-40 rebound advantage.

The Gaels return to action on Saturday with a 1:00 pm tilt at Fordham.