BRIDGEPORT, CT - In a disappointing end to the 2010-11 season, the sixth seeded Iona College women's basketball team was defeated by third seeded Manhattan in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Championships.  The loss ended the Gaels' string of consecutive final four appearances at five.

The Jaspers (22-8) led from wire to wire after taking an inital 2-0 lead on a Toni-Ann Lawrence layup one minute and fifteen seconds into the game.  Iona (11-20) scored its first points at the 16:11 mark when Milica Paligoric scored her only basket of the day to cut the lead to 4-2. 

Trailing by five with 12:30 to go in the opening half, the Maroon & Gold came back to tie it up, 9-9 at 11:55, with a Jessica Scannell three-pointer and a lay-in by Diana Hubbard.  Manhattan shut the door, however, using a 14-5 run over the ensuing 5:32 to take a nine-point lead at the 6:23 mark.  The Gaels pulled to within six by halftime, down 29-23 at the break.

The closest Iona would get in the second half would be four points.  The Jaspers led by as much as 12 on four occasions late in the game, including the 59-47 final.

All-MAAC Third Team member Kristina Ford powered her way to a game-high 18 points and added nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 37 minutes.  Tomica Bacic was also strong for Iona, setting a new career-high with seven assists, pulling down a team-best ten boards, and stealing two.  Diana Hubbard added eight points, nine rebounds, and two assists.  Senior Catherine Lutz closed out her career with six points and three rebounds while Marissa Flagg and All-MAAC Second Team selection Anda Ivkovic had four points apiece.

For Manhattan, Abby Wentworth led with 14 points followed by Lawrence with 12.  Nadia Peters led all players with 11 rebounds.  The Jaspers advanced to face No. 2 seed Loyola in Saturday's 9:30 am semifinal.

The MAAC announced the 2010-11 Women's Basketball All-Academic Team.  Iona and Marist had a conference-leading six players named to the team.  Earning All-Academic honors for the Gaels were sophomore Haley D'Angelo; juniors Robin Felder, Paligoric, and Scannell; and seniors Suzi Fregosi and Lutz.