Jersey City, NJ - The Yanitelli Center coninues to be a rough stop for the Maroon & Gold, as the Iona College women's basketball team lost its second straight game, 76-68, at Saint Peter's. The Gaels fall to 10-8 overall and 4-3 in the MAAC while the Peahens improve their overall record to 13-5 with a 5-2 mark in conference play.
Jessica Smith was Iona's top scorer, posting a double-double with 15 points and ten rebounds. Tiara Headen followed with 14 points and Lauren DeFalco added ten.
Lauma Reke was a key player for Saint Peter's, leading with 16 points and 12 boards.
The Gaels jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to begin the game as Headen conjured up two fast layups and Thazina Cook made a free throw with 18:18 on the clock. A bucket by Charlene Riddick a minute later put the Peahens on the board, and from there the score would be tied six times in the first half. Down by seven with 3:43 to go, Iona pulled to within two at 31-29, but the hosts scored the seven unanswered points to carry a nine point spread into the second half.
The Gaels were strong once again to start the period, taking over the lead on a Smith layup by the 17:18 mark. The lead was short lived, however, as Saint Peter's regained control on a Tania Kennedy jumper with 14:30 left to play and never looked back.
Each team tallied 43 rebounds on the night while the Peahens outshot the Gaels 40.3%-38.7%.
