Mike Ritz is currently a junior journalism major at Iona
College. He is from Yorktown, New York and is a sports writer for the
school newspaper, The Ionian. Mike has been the manager for the Iona
women's basketball team since his freshman year. A lover of sports, he
played four years of basketball in high school as well as four years of
golf. Mike comes from an Iona family, both of his parents, Ron and
Michelle, graduated from Iona as well as his sister, Jen, who played
basketball for the Gaels for four years and graduated in 2008. Mike
loves to be a part of the Iona family and aspires to be a successful
sports writer when he graduates.
NIAGARA UNIV., NY - The Iona College women's basketball team won their second consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic conference game Saturday afternoon with a 71-61 win over Niagara at the "Taps" Gallagher Center.
Sophomore guard
Jackie Marshall led the Gaels on a 22-4 run midway through the first half with two three-point field goals and a layup to give Iona a 32-15 lead with 7:22 remaining in the half. However, the Purple Eagles ended the half on an 18-5 run, with six different players scoring baskets, to cut the Iona lead to 37-33 heading into the second half.
In the second half, the Purple Eagles kept the contest close until a three pointer by Kelly Van Leeuwen tied the game at 56 with 7:21 remaining, but the Gaels wouldn't lose any ground, going on a game deciding 12-0 run with freshman guard
Damika Martinez scoring seven points.
The game's turning point game was back-to-back three pointers by Marshall and Martinez during the 12-0 run. "I really have a lot of trust in Jackie," said head coach
Anthony Bozzella. "She is a great team player with a great attitude and she really helped us out today."
A game after tying the single game scoring mark by a freshman with 28 points against Siena, Martinez did one better with a 29 point effort, adding five rebounds.
"Damika is the most creative scorer I've ever had, as well as one of the best finishers," said Bozzella. "She's played with great poise so far this season."
Senior forward
Tomica Bacic recorded her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Marshall finished the game with 11 points and two rebounds. Sophomore Kayla Stroman led Niagara with 12 points and six rebounds.
The Gaels continue their Buffalo trip Monday morning as they take on Canisius at 11:00 am.
