CANCUN, MEXICO - The Iona College women's basketball team recovered from a slow start against Cleveland State but was held off in the final minutes to end up with a 64-58 defeat in game two of the Caribbean Challenge.  Anna McLean was the lone Gael in double figures, leading with 18 points and eight rebounds.

The Vikings scored the first five points of the contest and held Iona off the scoreboard until nearly five minutes into the game, when Milica Paligoric broke through with back-to-back baskets to make the score 5-4.  Cleveland State then put together a 14-4 run to take its largest lead of the night with an 11 point advantage. 

Iona refused to back down and battled back to take over the lead, going on a 15-3 tear bookended by a McLean layup and a Catherine Lutz three.  The Gaels held a 27-25 edge when Shawnita Garland hit two free throws for the Vikings to send the game into the second half tied at 27.

The Gaels pulled back in front just nine seconds into the period, and maintained the lead through much of the half.  Tied at 49 with 3:31 to go, Cleveland State moved ahead for good on one of Jessica Roque's seven trifectas.

The Maroon & Gold finished with 17 assists, including six handed out by Suzi Fregosi, and 11 steals.  The team is back in action on the road with a 6:00 pm tilt at Maryland-Eastern Shore on Dec. 7.