New Rochelle, NY - Anna McLean picked up her seventh double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Iona College women's basketball team defeated Niagara, 76-58 on alumni day. Niagara (5-17, 3-8 MAAC) is now the second team to be swept by the Gaels (14-8, 8-3 MAAC) this season.
Lauren DeFalco had a team-best 17 points, going 10-14 from the free throw line. Liz Flooks led the Purple Eagles with 17 points.
Iona never trailed in the contest after taking a 2-0 lead on a jumper by Tiara Headen in the first minute. Ahead by ten with 5:28 to go in the half, Cat Lutz knocked down her first of three trifectas on the day to push the Gaels' edge to 33-21. Bitten by a string of late turnovers, the Maroon & Gold saw its 12 point lead whittled down to four by the end of the period as Niagara went on a 10-2 run over the final 4:30.
The Gaels maintained control throughout the second half and steadily built up to their largest lead of the afternoon, an 18 point spread at the buzzer.
The action picks up again at the Hynes Athletics Center when the squad hosts Fairfield in game one of a double header with the men's team on Feb. 8. The women will play at 5:00 pm, with an approximate 7:30 start for the men.
