CHARLOTTE, NC - The Iona College women's basketball team opened its 2010-11 campaign with a 72-40 loss on the road to Charlotte in the Preseason WNIT.  The Gaels had double-digit production from senior Anda Ivkovic and junior Kristina Ford, but struggled to keep pace with the quick and athletic 49ers.

Ivkovic buried a three-point shot in the first play of the contest to give the Gaels a 3-0 lead off the tip, but Charlotte fired back with a ten straight points and never yielded the lead.  The hosts held their largest advantage of the opening period at 26-9 with 8:22 on the clock.  A 10-0 Iona run, started by a Marissa Flagg jumper and including trifectas from Ivkovic and Tomica Bacic, cut the spread down to seven with 4:05 to go in the half.

In her first game back from a serious knee injury, Ivkovic led the Maroon & Gold with 12 points, two rebounds, and a steal.  Ford added 11 points with a 4-4 performance at the stripe, and had a team-high seven boards.  Bacic ended the night with eight points, while Suzi Fregosi picked up three assists.

Charlotte's Shannon McCallum led all players with 21 points, going 8-13 from the floor.  Iona held an 18-16 rebounding edge at the halfway mark, but finished slightly behind at 40-34.

Iona will continue in the tournament, playing in the first and second consolation rounds hosted by James Madison.  The Gaels will face Central Florida at 4:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 19, and either Saint Francis (PA) or JMU on Saturday.