NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Despite a second straight double-double by junior Thazina Cook, the Iona College women's basketball team was defeated by Marist, 69-60, in MAAC action at the Hynes Athletics Center.  Cook had a team-leading 17 points and 11 rebounds, followed by 12 points from sophomore Anda Ivkovic.

Rachele Fitz led all players with 26 points and 17 boards for the Red Foxes (20-2, 11-1 MAAC).  For the Gaels (13-10, 6-6 MAAC) sophomore Suzi Fregosi added eight points and a team-best five assists while grabbing four rebounds.

Iona was first to break onto the scoreboard as Ford grabbed a rebound and dished it off to Ivkovic for the fastbreak layup at 18:53.  Brandy Gang responded with a three-pointer to give Marist a brief 3-2 lead, but the Gaels pulled back in front on a Cook trifecta at the 16:21 mark.

with the game tied at five, Iona scored eight of the next ten points to hold its largest lead of the afternoon, a 13-7 advantage with 12:38 to go in the first half.  Marist then put together a 13-7 run to knot the score at 20-all.

Down by 30-25, Cook hit two free throws and then Milica Paligoric converted a three-point play to even things up at 30 apiece.  A 12-4 Marist stretch to end the half had the Red Foxes leading by eight at the break.

Julianne Viani scored five straight points for Marist to begin the second half as the visitors extended their lead to 13.  Iona cut that advantage back down to eight with a basket by Cook at the 13:28 mark. 

With the Gaels trailing by 14, the squad managed a 14-5 run, sparked by a Cook three pointer and capped off with a Naeemah Ricketts layup, to pull to within five points with 1:45 remaining in the contest.  Marist scored the final four points to seal the win.

Up next for Iona is the first in a pair of road games, with the Gaels taking on Saint Peter's at 12:00 pm on Feb. 6.