NEW ROCHELLE, NY - After trailing by 16 with 5:17 to go in the game, the Iona College women's basketball team was able to climb back to within four points with less than a minute remaining, but came up just short in a 64-56 loss to Georgia State in non-conference action at the Hynes Athletics Center.
The Gaels' late charge was jump started by a layup from
Catherine Lutz which began a 12-0 run for Iona. The Maroon & Gold rallied to change the score from 60-44 to 60-56 by the 40 second mark. The Gaels would not score again, however, as the Panthers recorded the final four points of the contest from the free throw line.
To start the game, Iona had taken a 4-0 lead on baskets by
Kristina Ford and
Anna McLean. The Gaels pulled ahead by as much as nine points in the first half to take a 17-8 advantage following a
Diana Hubbard three pointer with 13:16 on the clock. Georgia State then came back with 11 unanswered points to take over the lead.
McLean finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Gaels in her fourth double-double performance of the year. Ford followed with a season-high 12 points while
Anda Ivkovic posted her best rebound total of the year with 12. Iona topped Georgia State 49-32 on the boards but surrendered 27 points off turnovers.
Danyiell McKeller had a game-high 25 points for the Panthers, with Shay Rawls and Jylisa Williams adding 13 and ten points, respectively.
The Gaels return to the road on Sunday with a game against No. 1 Connecticut at 6:00 pm. The Huskies will be the highest ranked opponent Iona has ever faced.
