Bridgeport, CT - 2007 MAAC Player of the Year Martina Weber scored a dominating 28 points while grabbing ten rebounds and denying five as the Iona College women's basketball team defeated Saint Peter's(12-18) in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Chamionships. Junior Lauren DeFalco added 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals. The Gaels (19-11) won by a score of 63-54.

Advancing in the tournament, Iona will face the winner of Loyola vs. Canisius in the semifinals on Saturday at 9:30 am.

Weber began her run early, putting the first nine points on the board for the Gaels over the opening seven minutes. Tiara Headen hit a jumper in the paint at 8:23 to take the lead for Iona. The Peahens took it back on Natasha Morris's two-for-two from the free throw line before a DeFalco driving layup put the Maroon & Gold up for good in the half.

Elyse Siciliano added two at the 1:16 mark, ending a five-minute Saint Peter's drought. The Gaels carried a 28-24 lead into the second period.

The Peahens chipped away in the second half, moving ahead on a breakaway steal by Morris with 12:31 on the timer. The two teams traded the lead eight times in the ensuing back-and-forth possesions. Saint Peter's gained control of the battle when Morris and Siciliano netted back-to-back baskets for a 46-43 Peahen lead at 8:14.

With the opponent up by three, Weber batted down an attempt by Lauma Reke which was recovered by Toni Horvath. Horvath passed back to Weber who was then fouled, and hit two from the stripe to cut the Peahen's edge down to one.

After trading leads again, Jessica Anger deposited a huge three pointer which helped the Gaels surge ahead. Iona outscored Saint Peter's 11-3 down the stretch for the victory.

The Gaels shot 43.4% from the floor, and outrebounded Saint Peter's 41-36.