Loudonville, NY - Senior Tiara Headen had a game-high 27 points and arguably the most critical basket of the night as the Iona College women's basketball team (17-10, 11-5 MAAC) topped Siena (9-17, 5-11 MAAC) at the Alumni Recreation Center.  Headen drained a 25-footer at the shot clock buzzer with 32 seconds left in the game to tie up the Gaels' win.

Anda Ivkovic came off the bench to add 18 points for the Maroon & Gold while Heather Stec notched a career-best 18 points for the Saints.

Siena opened an initial 10-6 lead, the team's largest of the night, on a Stec layup four minutes into the first half.  Iona then went on an 18-1 run over the next five minutes to take a 24-11 advantage, capped by a Suzi Fregosi jumper at the 11:05 mark.  The Gaels maintained control for the rest of the period and never let the Saints within fewer than nine points.  The squad held its largest lead of the contest, a 15 point spread, with 18 seconds to go in the half.

Iona looked strong through the first part of the second half, opening up a 16 point lead at 44-28 when Jessica Smith scored her only basket of the night just under two minutes in.  However, the Saints rallied to steadily dig away at the Gaels' advantage.  Down 70-55 with 4:06 on the clock, a Laura Menty layup kicked off a 14-1 Siena run which saw the hosts charge all the way back to within two points by the 1:04 mark.

In need of a momentum stopper, Iona put the ball in Headen's hands and the captain knocked down a major three-pointer to beat the shot clock and help the Gaels to a 76-72 victory.  Iona held a 45-35 rebound advantage which included 18 offensive boards.

The Gaels have two home games remaining in the regular season, beginning with a 2:00 pm tilt against Saint Peter's on Sunday.