NOTRE DAME, IN - The Iona College women's basketball team took on No. 5 Notre Dame in its 2009-10 road opener in front of a crowd of 8,511 at Purcell Pavilion.  The Gaels, facing their highest ranked opponent ever, were defeated by the Irish, 80-45.

Trailing 4-0 to start the Game, Iona (2-2) scored its first points on an inside basket by Anna McLean at 18:43.  Notre Dame (3-0) then put up seven unanswered to push the lead to 11-2.  Back-to-back layups by Anda Ivkovic and McLean helped the Gaels pull back to within five, the closest they would get in the game.

The Fighting Irish surged to a 38-24 halftime advantage and held the Maroon & Gold to 29.2% shooting in the second half to win by 35.  Notre Dame's high pressure defense forced a Iona to commit a season-high 33 turnovers which led to 34 points off turnovers for the Irish.

Thazina Cook led the Gaels with 12 points and ten rebounds for a double-double while adding three steals.  McLean finished with ten points and grabbed six boards.

Iona travels to Cancun, Mexico over Thanksgiving weekend to play two games in the Caribbean Challenge.  The Gaels will face Arkansas on Nov. 26 and Cleveland State on the 27th.