NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Sophomores Damika Martinez and Aleesha Powell combined for 40 points as the Iona College women's basketball team opened up the 2012-13 season with a 74-64 victory over Navy Friday afternoon at the Hynes Center.

After gaining a 2-0 lead on a jumper by Martinez, Navy went on a four point run after back-to-back layups by Jade Geif and Kara Pollinger.  A jumper by senior Haley D'Angelo tied the contest once again before the Gaels would go on a 13-7 run to take a 17-11 lead, with Martinez contributing six points and freshman Joy Adams five points.

Navy would not quit, trimming the Iona lead to one at 20-19 on a three pointer by Audrey Bauer.  Junior Sabrina Jeridore would convert a layup and a plus-one free throw on the next Iona possession and Martinez would drain another three to give Iona its biggest lead of the half, at 26-19.

A three pointer by Navy's Kara Pollinger would start the Midshipmen's comeback, as Navy was able to tie the score at 26 with eight minutes remaining in the half on a jumper by M.L. Morrison.  Navy would then take the lead on the next trip down the court at 28-26.

The teams would trade baskets throughout the remainer of the first, as the teams would trade six lead changes and four ties.  A jumper by junior Shonice Hawkins pulled the Gaels ahead 43-42, a lead the team would not relinquish in the second half.

In the second, Iona opened the frame on an 8-4 run to take a seven point lead with 14:52 remaining.  Just over four minutes later, Iona was able to open up a double digit lead, 58-48, on a jumper by Powell.

Navy would only get as close as an eight point margin the rest of the way, with the Gaels opening a game high 14 point lead on a three-pointer by Martinez with 6:03 remaining.

Martinez scored 26 points and added eight rebounds in 38 minutes, shooting 10-for-17 overall and knocking down four three-pointers.  Powell had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists as ten players found the scoring column for the Gaels, including Adams who scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Pollinger was one of three Navy players in double digits, scoring 17 points while Alix Membreno scored 11 points and Bauer tallied 10.

The Gaels are back in action Sunday, when they take on Long Beach State at Walter Pyramid at 5:00 pm.