New Rochelle, NY - Despite a game-high and career-best 28 points from Tiara Headen, the Iona College women's basketball team saw its streak end with an 86-78 loss to Marist at the Hynes Athletics Center. In addition to a six-game run, the Red Foxes (16-2, 6-0 MAAC) also put a stop to the Gaels' (10-7, 4-2 MAAC) four consecutive wins at home.
Headen's 28 points were followed by 15 from Lauren DeFalco and 12 from Thazina Cook. Anna McLean was the game's top rebounder with nine. Marist was led in scoring by Rachele Fitz who had 20 points on the night.
While the Red Foxes led for a substantial part of the night, Iona managed to stay close in the first half, tying the score on four occasions and trailing by as few as three points with under three minutes remaining in the period. Down 35-29 at the 54 second mark, Headen knocked down a jumper to send the Maroon & Gold into the second half with a four-point deficit.
Marist used a 12-0 run midway through the second half to open up a 16 point lead. The margin was stretched to 21 points at 71-50 on a three pointer by Erica Allenspach with 7:08 on the clock. Though unable to close the gap, Iona rallied to pull to within eight before the final buzzer, with Cook nailing two trifectas in the last 11 seconds of play.
The Red Foxes hit 31 of 34 from the free throw line, while the Gaels held a 37-33 advantage on the boards.
Iona returns to action on Monday (Jan. 21) to face Saint Peter's on the road at 7:00 pm.
