HARRISONBURG, VA - Behind a game-leading 14 points by junior Kristina Ford, the Iona College women's basketball team was topped by the University of Central Florida, 59-48, in the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament.  The Gaels are off to their first 0-2 start since the 2007-08 season, when they went on to the MAAC Championship title game and the Postseason WNIT.

Ford was the lone Gael to score in double figures, also adding four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.  Milica Paligoric and Catherine Lutz posted eight points apiece, while Anda Ivkovic had a team-leading nine boards to go along with six points.  Senior captain Suzi Fregosi dished out four assists.

Iona started off to a 3-0 lead for the second straight contest, this time on a free throw and layup from Ford.  Tomica Bacic chipped in with two points at the 14:56 mark to put the Maroon & Gold at a 5-2 advantage.  The Knights scored the next four points to pull ahead 6-5 before rookie Shonice Hawkins tied it up from the stripe.

With 10:17 on the clock in the first half, the Knights had opened a 16-11 gap.  Iona earned seven of the next nine points to tie the score for a second time at 18-all with 5:03 to go in the period.  Down the stretch, UCF mounted a 9-1 run to lead by eight at halftime.

The Knights held their largest lead of the evening at 14 points with 12:55 remaining in the game.  By 6:50 Iona had cut the spread down to six, but couldn't get any closer.

Despite giving up four trifectas in the final period, the Gaels' defense held UCF to 0-for-10 from three point range over the first half.  Chelsie Wiley was the Knights' high scorer with 13 points while Aisha Patrick led the squad in rebounding with 12.

Iona concludes play in the Preseason WNIT with a second consolation round matchup against Saint Francis (PA) at 4:30 pm on Saturday.