New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team will have to wait a week for another chance to tie up second place after falling to Saint Peter's at home.  The Peahens (18-9, 10-6 MAAC) defeated the Gaels (17-11, 11-6 MAAC) by a score of 61-57.

Tiara Headen broke 20 points for the second consecutive time, leading all players with 21.  Anna McLean added a ninth double-double to her total for the year with a 14 point, 19 rebound performance.  Posting two blocks on the day, McLean is now tied as Iona's all-time career blocks co-leader.

The Gaels' offense was shaky coming out of the gate as Saint Peter's opened a 9-4 lead on a jumper by Lauma Reke with 16:17 on the clock.  Iona was able to regain its composure to put together an 8-0 run over the next three minutes and led by three at the 13:04 mark.  The squad steadily increased its lead to ten points, capped by a Headen basket at 3:53 before the Peahens battled to climb within four at the half.

Saint Peter's took over the lead at 40-38 midway through the second half on a Charlene Riddick layup with 12:56 left to play.  With Iona trailing 44-41, Jessica Smith completed a three point play to pull even, but the visitors regained the advantage for good shortly thereafter.  Saint Peter's led by as much as eight points at 54-46 with 5:01 left.  With just 37 seconds to go in the game, McLean hit 1 of 2 from the free throw line to bring the score to 57-55.  The Peahens used a 5-2 edge down the stretch to claim the win.

Iona has one game left in the regular season, a 2:00 pm contest on March 1.  The Gaels will host Manhattan on senior day at the Hynes Athletics Center.