After Rider jumped ahead 2-0, the Gaels game back with the six points to take a lead that would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest.  Bacic was responsible for five of the Gaels' first ten points as she distinguished her pressence in the paint from the get go.  Up 19-13 with 8:59 remaining, sophomore guard Jackie Marshall knocked down two three-point field goals to boost the Gaels' lead to a first half high of 10 points.  After a layup by Rider's Emily Fazzini cut the Iona lead to four with 2:44 remaining, the Gaels responded with back-to-back trifectas from freshmen guards Damika Martinez and Aleesha Powell to head into the locker room with a 33-23 lead.

In the second half, Iona led comfortably for most of the period before a jumper by Sironda Chambers cut the lead to six at 48-42 with 7:17 remaining.  Bacic would response by scoring the next four points to put the Gaels back up by double-digits.  After that, the Gaels would get eight of their next ten points from the charity, including four from sophomore center Sabrina Jeridore, who scored eight points, all in the second half, and pulled down a career high 11 rebounds in the win.

While Bacic led all scorers with her 18 points, Martinez posted her fifth consecutive double-digit effort with 17 points on 5-of-15 shooting and a six-of-seven performance from the free throw line.  MyNeshia McKenzie led Rider with 14 points on an impressive seven-of-nine shooting from the field.

The Gaels continue conference play Sunday afternoon when they host Manhattan at 1:00 pm in the first game of a doubleheader with the men's team.  The Gaels then return to the road next Friday, January 20 when they visit Saint Peter's for a 7:00 pm tip.