MORGANTOWN, WV - Freshman Kristina Ford's game-leading 20 points helped carry the Iona College women's basketball team (2-0) to a 52-44 victory over West Virginia (1-1) at the WVU Coliseum.  Sophomore Anda Ivkovic chipped in with 12 points, while the Gaels had 27 points off the bench.

Iona's win marked just the second time under West Virginia head coach Mike Carey that the Mountaineers have lost to a non-conference opponent on their home court, with the squad going 37-2 in those games.  The Mountaineers have reached the second round of the NCAA tournament in the last two seasons.

The win was also Iona's first over a BIG EAST opponent since defeating St. John's in the 2006 Preseason WNIT, and just the second since beating the Connecticut Huskies, 76-60, during the 1984-85 season.

The Gaels erased a 15-4 defecit that was built up by the hosts over the first eight minutes, outscoring their opponent 18-7 to tie the game at 22-all with 3:17 remaining in the first half.   A layup by Naeemah Ricketts gave Iona its first lead of the day at the 2:13 mark and the Maroon & Gold went into halftime with a three point edge.

A free throw by Liz Repella put West Virinia ahead for the final time at 32-31 as Iona scored the next five straight on a three point play by Ford and a jumper by Tomica Bacic to lead 36-32 at 14:13.  The Gaels never relinquished their advantage and extended the lead to eight by the final buzzer.  Iona put together a 22-8 scoring run to close out the second half.

The Gaels open their season at 2-0 for the first time since 2005.  The squad plays the second of a four-game road set in a mid-week match-up at Monmouth on Nov. 19.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.