NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Junior Tomica Bacic scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Iona College women's basketball team in a 92-61 victory over Rider at the Hynes Athletics Center.  The Gaels (6-13 overall) ended a two-game losing streak and picked up their second league win to improve to 2-5 in MAAC play.

Iona led for all but four minutes, when Rider (2-16, 2-5 MAAC) took a three-point advantage on back-to-back field goals by Ali Heller and Caitlin Bopp early in the first half.  The Gaels quickly came back from the 10-7 deficit and moved in front for good on a jumper by Bacic at the 10:21 mark.  Iona mounted a 21-6 run over the final 9:18 of the half to lead 34-17 at the break.

The squad went on to shoot a sparkling 61.3% in the second half with six three-pointers.  Iona had a season-best nine treys in the game and also set a new standard for the year with a 52.5% field goal percentage.  The team's 92 points were the most since putting up the same number at Rider during the 2008-09 campaign.

Bacic was one rebound shy of a double-double, adding nine boards to her 22 points.  She shot 7-9 from the floor and was a perfect 7-7 at the free throw line.  Marissa Flagg had 11 points, and Milica Paligoric and Anda Ivkovic followed with ten points apiece.  Paligoric added seven rebounds.  Catherine Lutz (9 pts) and Jackie Marshall (8 pts) both picked up season highs. 

Iona outrebounded Rider 43-32, forced 23 Bronc turnovers, and had 14 steals in the contest.  The Gael defense held Rider to just five field goals in the first half.  The Maroon & Gold recorded 32 points off turnovers and 50 points off the bench.

The Gaels close out the weekend homestand with a 2:00 pm tilt against Canisius on Sunday.