NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team (1-3) earned its first victory of the year, snapping a three-game season-opening skid with a 73-67 win over Brown (2-3) in the Iona Thanksgiving Classic.  The Gaels more than doubled their first half production with a 50-point second half to claim the come-from-behind triumph.

Anda Ivkovic and Kristina Ford put up nearly identical numbers to lead the Maroon & Gold.  Each posted a team-high 18 points on seven field goals, two three-pointers, and two free throws, and both added five rebounds and a steal.  Marissa Flagg followed closely with 14 points and a team-best six boards while Suzi Fregosi had seven assists.

The Gaels powered out of the locker room to demolish a 28-23 halftime defecit with a 9-0 run.  Ford, who scored all of her points in the second half, started it off with a jumper and a three-point basket as the Gaels took over, 32-28, by the 17:12 mark.  The Bears resumed the lead two minutes later and had pulled in front by seven at 12:58.

Iona battled back, energized by two quick steals at the hands of Flagg and Fregosi, and tied the game at 47-all with another trey from Ford.  Samantha Kopp later hit two shots from the stripe to give the Gaels a two-point edge with 7:39 to go.  Iona scored 14 of 16 points, leading by as much as 12 with 4:24 remaining, and held on for the win.

Lindsay Nickel and Sheila Dixon both had a game-high 20 points for Brown. 

After winning its fifth home opener in the last six years, Iona will go for two straight victories when it hosts Toledo at 3:30 pm on Sunday.