STONY BROOK, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team saw a six point halftime lead evaporate in the second half and fell 70-64 to Stony Brook in its final non-conference matchup of the season Sunday afternoon at Pritchard Gymnasium.

After a first half in which the two teams shot under 37.0%, the Gaels were able to open up a ten point lead, 27-17, after a three point play by junior guard Shonice Hawkins with 3:38 left in the stanza.  Stony Brook would trim the lead to four, 27-23, on a layup by Sabre Proctor with 1:08 remaining in the period.  A jumper by freshman forward Joy Adams with 44 seconds remaining gave Iona a six point cushion going into the locker room.

The Seawolves came out firing in the second half, opening the period on an 8-0 run, and taking a 31-29 lead on the second of two free throws by Teasha Harris.  The Gaels would come back and tie the contest before taking a 35-33 lead on a jumper by sophomore guard Damika Martinez with 14:15 remaining.

Stony Brook would  counter with a 7-0 run, taking a 40-35 lead on a free throw by Proctor.   The Seawolves would hold the lead until freshman guard Aaliyah Robinson knocked down a three pointer with 6:33 left to give the Gaels a 49-47 lead.  A jumper by Harris knotted the contest before a layup by Jessica Previlon with 5:55 gave Stony Brook the lead for good.

Overall in the contest, Iona shot 34.5% from the field, while the Seawolves shot 38.2%.  Stony Brook was also able to outscore the Gaels from the line, converting 27 of 34 opportunities from the line while Iona knocked down 15 of 18 attempts from the charity stripe.

Martinez led the Gaels with 18 points, three steals and two blocks.  Adams picked up her fourth consecutive double-double, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds.  Proctor led Stony Brook with 25 points and eight rebounds.

Iona opens conference action Friday, January 4 when they match up with Niagara on the road at 7:00 pm.