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.
BUFFALO, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 85-74 overtime loss to Canisius College Monday morning on Kid's Day at the Koessler Athletic Center, snapping a two game conference winning streak.
The Gaels started the game on a 8-2 run, with six of the points coming from freshman guard
Damika Martinez. Iona led the entire first half, with their largest margin being seven. A jumpshot by Canisius forward Courtney VandeBovenkamp with five seconds remaining cut the Gaels' lead to five at 38-33 heading into the second half.
The Maroon & Gold came out strong in the second half, with six different scorers contributing to give the Gaels a comfortable 55-41 lead with 12:23 remaining. Howver, three-point shooting and key assists from junior guard Ashley Durham brought the Golden Griffins all the way back to tie the game at 65 with 23 seconds to go.
Out of a timeout, an assist by senior guard
Suzi Fregosi gave Martinez an easy layup with 13 seconds remaining, giving the Gaels a 67-65 lead. Canisius came right back with a jumper by junior guard Allison Braun to force the game into overtime.
Free throws by sophomore center Jamie Ruttle with 4:11 remaining in overtime marked Canisius' first lead of the game. The Griffs outscored Iona 18-7 to end the game, led by Ruttle's seven points in the extra frame.
Martinez continued her fantastic inaugural season with 28 points and five rebounds. Freshman guard
Aleesha Powell added 11 points and five steals while Fregosi ended the game with 10 points and five assists.
Durham had a career high 29 points for the Griffs, including six three-pointers. Ruttle had 16 points and seven rebounds while freshman Kayla Hoohuli had a career high ten rebounds.
"We have a good basketball team that is getting better everyday," said head coach
Anthony Bozzella. "I was happy with our effort and we just couldn't pull this one out."
The Gaels look to bounce back Friday when they take on Rider at the Hynes Center at 12:00 pm.
