Albany, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team advanced to the semifinal round of the 2008 MAAC Championship with a 74-59 Quarterfinal win over No. 7 seed Loyola at the Times Union Center.  This marks the third straight year that the Gaels have moved on to the semis.

Senior Lauren DeFalco led the Maroon & Gold with a game-high 19 points, hitting 3-of-4 from three point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line.  Sophomore Thazina Cook (15 points, 9 rebounds) and junior Anna McLean (10 points, 8 rebounds) also scored in double figures.  Loyola's Siobhan Prior led the Greyhounds with 18 points.

Iona capitalized on Loyola playing its second game in as many days, taking an early lead and controlling the majority of 40 minutes.  The Greyhounds managed to tie the score twice in the first half but never led.  Iona's reasonable three point advantage, 18-15 with 7:51 left in the period, turned into a commanding 32-17 spread following a 14-2 Gael run over the next four and a half minutes.

Iona led by as much as 23 in the second half and used a .464-.393 advantage in shooting percentage to stay ahead of the tiring Grehounds.  The Gaels outrebounded Loyola 41-31.

Also advancing to Saturday's semifinals is Fairfield, who defeated Siena 67-52 to move on.  The Gaels and Stags will meet up at 9:30 am.