NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Freshman guard Damika Martinez posted a career high 28 points, tying a freshman single game mark as the Iona College women's basketball team rolled to an 87-71 victory over Siena Wednesday evening in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Hynes Center.

The Gaels never trailed in the contest, opening up a 9-4 lead with 17:30 remaining in the first half on a three-pointer from freshman guard Aleesha Powell.  Siena would come back to tied the contest at 17 on a layup by senior guard Maja Gerlyng but the Gaels went on a 23-4 run, headed by six points from junior guard Haley D'Angelo to open up a 40-21 lead, a double digit margin the Gaels would hold on to for the remainder of the evening.

Martinez was the fourth Iona freshman to record 28 points, a feat that has now occured five times.  Iona College Hall of Famers Patricia Reynolds (vs. Holy Cross, vs. Niagara, 1986-87), Maggie Timoney (at Fordham, 1985-86) and Celeste Grier (vs. New York Tech, 1979-80) all accomplished the feat in their rookie season.

Martinez was one of three Gaels to post career highs in the contest, along with Powell's 20 and D'Angelo's eight.  Senior guard Suzi Fregosi posted her second double-double of the season, posting 10 points on five-for-seven shooting from the field and matching a season high with 10 assists. 

As a team, the Gaels hit a season-high 11 three-pointers, with six players hitting at least one shot from behind the arc.  It was the most by a Gaels squad since the Maroon & Gold knocked down 11 threes at home last season against Marist in an 82-80 overtime loss.

The Gaels are back in action Saturday when they travel to Niagara for the first of the team's two contests in Western New York.  The trip concludes Monday, when the Gaels take on Canisius at 11:00 am.