NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Outscored 20-5 over the final nine minutes, the Iona College women's basketball team lost its third straight game with a 68-51 loss to Canisius at the Hynes Athletics Center.  The Gaels fall to 2-3 in conference play (9-7 overall) while the Golden Griffins, who won their ninth consecutive game, are now 4-1 in the MAAC (12-4 overall).

Sophomore Anda Ivkovic led all players with 21 points and shot 8-for-8 from the free throw line.  Junior Thazina Cook recorded a double-double with 18 points and ten rebounds while freshman Kristina Ford had a game-high five steals.

Both teams were slow to heat up offensively as there were only a total of four field goals over the first eight minutes.  After taking a 10-9 lead at the 11:22 mark, Iona's advantage was stretched to five following a Suzi Fregosi jumper at 9:40.

With Iona ahead 24-23 with 3:32 remaining in the first half, Canisius scored eight of the last ten points to lead by five, 31-26, at the half way point.

The Gaels found themselves down by ten three times at the start of the second half, but put together an 8-0 run to shrink the margin down to two with 16:30 on the clock.  After a Marie Warner basket for Canisius, Ivkovic sunk her second straight layup to put Iona within two once again.

Canisius led by five just beyond the midway point of the half when Cook knocked down a three-pointer to make the score 48-46 with 9:04 to go.  The Golden Griffins scored 20 of the final 25 points to take the win.

Despite the loss, Iona held Canisius - the MAAC's leading team in three-point shooting percentage - to just 25% from beyond the arc.

Iona wraps up the two-game homestand on Jan. 13, hosting Fairfield at 12:00 pm.