ALBANY, NY - Coming back from a 34-29 halftime deficit, the No. 5 seeded Iona College women's basketball team outscored No. 4 Saint Peter's 34-23 in the second half to win by six in the quarterfinals of the 2009 MAAC Championship.

Junior All-MAAC First Team member Thazina Cook led the Gaels (18-12) with a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds, including a 10-12 performance at the free throw line.  Senior Naeemah Ricketts joined Cook in double figures with 11 points in addition to seven boards.  Sophomore Suzi Fregosi dished out a team-best five assists while freshman Milica Paligoric picked up five blocks.

Iona was in front for the majority of the first half, with the Peahens (13-15) tying the score at 24-all at the 4:41 mark.  Saint Peter's gained a three-point lead on a trifecta by Tania Kennedy with 4:39 on the clock, and stayed in front to hold a five-point advantage at the break.

Down by two ten minutes into the second period, Ricketts netted a jumper to even the score at 46-46 and Marissa Flagg hit one-of-two from the stripe to give the Gaels a one-point edge.  The Peahens regained the lead two minutes later on a Natasha Morris layup.

With 6:34 remaining in the game, Iona took its final lead with a basket by Paligoric and held on for the 63-57 victory.  The Maroon & Gold led 48-39 in rebounding and held Saint Peter's to 25% shooting from the field and 14.3% from three-point range in the second half.

Iona advances to face No. 1 Marist in the second of two semifinal games.  Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30 am tomorrow.