NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team used a 14 turnover differential to defeat Siena, 70-59, at the Hynes Athletics Center.  The Gaels forced the Saints to lose possession 27 times which led to 31 points for Iona, while only giving up two points off turnovers.

Iona (15-11, 8-7 MAAC) and Siena (9-15, 8-7 MAAC) are now tied for the conference's fourth spot after splitting their regular season series.

With six tied scores in the first half, sophomore Anda Ivkovic nailed a pivotal three point field goal with 3:30 to go in the period to give the Maroon & Gold a three-point advantage.  The basket sparked a 13-2 Gael run, made up of eight points from Ivkovic and five from freshman Tomica Bacic, to increase Iona's lead to 11 points at the break.  Ivkovic led the field with 14 points at the half and went on to finish the day with a team-high 18.

The Saints managed to pull to within five on a pair of occasions in the second half, but would get no closer.  Leading 49-44 with ten minutes remaining, Iona scored 14 of the next 20 points to take its largest lead of the day, a 63-50 advantage with 3:25 to go.

Junior Thazina Cook netted 14 points for the Gaels while senior Naeemah Ricketts and rookie Milica Paligoric each added ten.  Sophomore Suzi Fregosi dished out six assists in the win.

For Siena, Merrick Volpe scored a career-best 19 points, followed by 14 from Allie Lindemann.

Iona departs for its western New York swing at the end of the week, playing first at Niagara at 2:00 pm on Feb. 20.