NEW ROCHELLE, NY - In the final game of the Iona Thanksgiving Classic, Western Michigan (1-4) defeated the Iona College women's basketball team (5-2) by a score of 54-44.  Freshman Kristina Ford recorded her third career double-double and led the Gaels with 13 points and ten rebounds.

The Broncos' Miame Giden paced the field with 16 points, while Tiera DeLaHoussaye added 12.

The two teams played virtually even in the first half, which featured eight tied scores and ended in a 21-21 stalemate.  Both sides had nine field goals, including one from three point range, and recorded two made free throws.  Iona and Western Michigan each grabbed 19 rebounds and recorded four assists over the first 20 minutes of play.

The Maroon & Gold took an initial two-point advantage at the start of the second half, moving ahead 23-21 on a jumper by Thazina Cook.  DeLaHoussaye came right back with a layup and the Broncos pulled in front for the final time on a basket by Ebony Cleary at the 17:44 mark.

Trailing by 12 points with 9:17 on the clock, the largest defecit of the day, Iona put together a 15-8 run to climb to within five with 1:07 remaining.  A pair of free throws by Ford gave the Gaels a chance at a comeback, but Western Michigan shut Iona down over the final minute to put the game away.

Cook and Ford were named to the All-Iona Thanksgiving Classic Team, along with Maryland-Eastern Shore's Kanzes Battin, UMBC's Carlee Cassidy and Michelle Karowski, and Western Michigan's DeLaHoussaye and Giden.  Katie Brooks of UMBC was selected as the weekend's Most Outstanding Player.

The Gaels return to action on Dec. 5 as they take on their first MAAC oponent of the season.  The team will play at Rider at 7:00 pm.