NEW ROCHELLE, NY - A basket by Michelle Pacheco with two seconds left pushed Manhattan to a one-point victory over the Iona College women's basketball team in the first game of 2009.  Both teams are now 2-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.

The Gaels (9-5) kept the game close despite trailing for much of the first half, never letting the Jaspers (5-9) pull ahead by more than six points before taking over the lead at the 7:46 mark on a layup by Suzi Fregosi.  Iona scored its next four points from the free throw line sandwiched around a pair of Manhattan baskets, bringing the score to 21-21 with 4:21 on the clock.

The Jaspers put together a 10-2 run to lead by eight with 1:11 to go in the period.  Over the final minute, the Gaels scored seven straight points to cut the edge to one by halftime.

A Fregosi free throw erased the defecit to start the second half before the squads traded three point field goals to tie the game for the fifth time at 34-all at the 17:13 mark. 

Tied at 48 with 8:16 to go, a layup by Marissa Flagg and back-to-back jumpers by Naeemah Ricketts gave Iona its largest lead of the day at 54-48.  Manhattan closed to within one with 4:30 remaining in the game and the Gaels held onto their one point lead until the Jaspers' final basket before the buzzer.

Anda Ivkovic recorded her first double-double of the season for Iona with a game-high 17 points and ten rebounds, while also adding three assists.  Thazina Cook netted 13 points, followed by 11 from Tomica Bacic.

For Manhattan, Pacheco finished with 15 points and Kelly Regan led all players with 15 rebounds.

Iona made up for its 29% shooting from the field by besting the Jaspers 19-4 in made free throws.  The Gaels also led 47-35 on the boards and 15-10 in steals.

The Maroon & Gold returns to action on Jan. 6 with a 7:30 pm tilt at Marist.