NEW ROCHELLE, NY - After tying the game with 15 seconds remaining, Rider got to the free throw line and sunk three to take a 61-58 win over the Iona College women's basketball team at the Hynes Athletics Center.  The Gaels came back from a 12-point defecit with just over four minutes to play to tie the score at 58.

The Broncs came out strong in the first half to charge to a 10-0 lead, with Iona scoring its first basket at 16:34 on a three-pointer by Thazina Cook.  A trifecta by Cintella Spotwood at the 13:03 mark gave Rider its second ten-point advantage of the day.

The Maroon & Gold put together a 9-2 run to tie the game at 21-all with 8:50 on the clock, and took the lead for the first time, 25-23, with 5:49 left in the first half.  Down by four, Rider scored seven straight points to move ahead by one at 3:51, but Iona came back to hold a 33-32 edge at halftime.

After assuming the lead on a jumper by Amanda Sepulveda in the opening minute of the second half, the Broncs managed to stay in front and led by as much as 13 at the 7:24 mark.  With Iona trailing 54-42, a bucket by Marissa Flagg kicked off the Gael comeback which saw the team score 16 of 20 points over a four minute span.

Rider held a 58-55 advantage with 15 seconds to go in the game when Anda Ivkovic was fouled attempting a three-point shot.  She hit all three from the line to tie the game, but the Broncs were able to get to the charity stripe two more times to take the win.

Ivkovic led Iona with 17 points, connecting on two three-pointers and making 7-of-7 free throw attempts.  Kristina Ford posted her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Flagg was Iona's third double-digit scorer with ten points.  Suzi Fregosi had a game-high six assists.

The Gaels will play the second of a three-game home stand on Jan. 23, hosting Loyola at 7:30 pm.