NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team won its second straight contest with a 65-56 victory over Niagara at the Hynes Athletics Center.  Kristina Ford led the Gaels with 17 points while Liz Flooks was the game's high scorer with 20 points.

Also in double figures for Iona (12-9, 5-5 MAAC) were Suzi Fregosi with 14 points and five assists and Thazina Cook with 12 points and a game-high nine boards.  Erika Harris had ten points for the Purple Eagles (1-19, 0-9 MAAC).

After taking an initial 5-0 lead on a three-pointer by Jennifer McNamee and a jumper by Harris, Niagara stayed in front until the 14:38 mark of the first half.  Ford netted a pass from Tomica Bacic to give the Gaels an 8-7 edge which was stretched to six points following a Fregosi three with 10:00 on the clock.

Niagara then put together a 13-5 run to move back in front by two, but Iona took control for the final time in the game with 3:40 to go in the half.

The Gaels started the second period with a four-point lead and extended the margin to ten by the 14:41 mark.  The visitors outscored the hosts 16-6 to knot the score at 51-all with 4:25 left to play.  Ford then hit a shot from beyond the arc to put Iona up by three and the squad went on to seal the nine-point victory.

Iona forced 27 Niagara turnovers which converted to 26 points for the Gaels, but was outnumbered 39-28 in rebounds and 8-2 in second chance points.

The Gaels travel to Baltimore to face Loyola for the final time during the regular season on Jan. 30.