BUFFALO, NY - After coming back from a two point defecit to even the score at the end of regulation, the Iona College women's basketball team was outscored 14-11 in overtime en route to a 70-67 loss at Canisius. Milica Paligoric was 8-for-10 from the field which led to a career-high 18 points for the freshman, who also added seven rebounds and two blocks.
Junior Thazina Cook recorded her seventh double-double of the year with 16 points and ten rebounds, while sophomore Anda Ivkovic scored 14. Marie Warner had a team-best 15 points and nine boards for the Golden Griffins.
Iona led in the opening minutes before Canisius moved ahead 10-6 on four straight points from Ellie Radke. A 9-4 run gave Canisius its largest lead of the game following a Warner layup at the 7:10 mark. Trailing 19-10, the Gaels scored 11 of the next 13 points to tie the score at 21-all and Paligoric added another basket with 40 seconds on the clock for the 23-21 halftime edge.
The Maroon & Gold expanded its lead to six with layups by Suzi Fregosi and Kristina Ford and a three pointer by Ivkovic just over six minutes into the second half. The squads traded buckets and the lead over several ensuing possessions.
Knotted at 48-48, Iona scored five unanswered points to lead 53-49 with 1:57 to go, but the Golden Griffins came back with six of their own to pull in front by one. A layup by Brittane Russell with 24 seconds on the clock put the Gaels behind 56-54. Paligoric nailed a jumper with eight seconds left to force overtime.
Off the tip, Amanda Cavo sunk one of her two overtime trifectas to give Canisius a quick 59-56 advantage, which stretched to as much as seven in the period. Trailing 67-61, Cook sandwiched two three-pointers around a Russell free throw to bring Iona to within one with ten seconds left. Micayla Drysdale hit a pair from the line as Canisius came away with the three point win.
With one game remaining in the regular season, Iona has secured at least a fifth-place spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings, giving the team a first round bye in the MAAC Championship tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The Gaels close the season on Feb. 28, hosting Saint Peter's at the Hynes Center at 2:00 pm.
