STOCKTON, CA - In a close game that featured 11 tied scores and nine lead changes, the Iona College women's basektball team was edged by University of the Pacific in a 66-62 decision on the road. The Gaels (8-4) lost their second game in a row for just the first time this season, while the Tigers (6-5) remain undefeated on their home court.
Thazina Cook had a game high 22 points to lead the Maroon & Gold, followed by 16 points from Anda Ivkovic. Tomica Bacic paced the team on the boards, grabbing nine rebounds, while Suzi Fregosi served up five assists.
For Pacific, Amber Simmons led with 21 points and was joined in double figures by Janae Young with 12 and Amy VanHollebeke and Gretchen Tiernan each with 11 points.
Ivkovic opened the contest with a three point shot which was matched Tiernan, then Kristina Ford and Cook put together back-to-back baskets to give Iona its largest lead of the day, 7-3, at the 18:24 mark. The Tigers pulled in front with two straight trifectas and held onto the lead until the Gaels came even at 7:49.
Both teams swapped the edge over the remainder of the period. Iona cut a six-point Pacific advantage down to two by halftime and was led by Ivkovic's ten first half points.
The host squad kept in front for the inital ten minutes of the second half. Behind by two at 49-47, Ivkovic dropped one in off the glass to tie the game with 10:19 to go. Whitney Price made one-of-two attempts from the free throw line to move the Tigers back in front by one before Cook sunk a pair of free throws at 9:30 to give Iona its first lead of the half.
The Gaels were up by two with 1:29 remaining when Simmons converted a three point play and Pacific took over at 63-62. Yong added a layup and picked up two steals on Iona's final two possessions to take away any chance for the Maroon & Gold.
Iona led 45-39 in rebounding and 13-11 in steals, but suffered 28 turnovers.
The team continues its road trip with a second game on the west coast, playing at San Francisco at 7:00 pm eastern time on Dec. 31.
