NEW ROCHELLE, NY- The Iona College women's basketball team earned its seventh consecutive victory with an 86-80 victory over Siena in its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener Sunday afternoon at the Hynes Athletics Center. The Gaels were able to withstand 20 turnovers by shooting 52.9% from the field, including a season high 50.0% (11-22) from behind the arc.
Junior guard Damika Martinez and sophomore forward Joy Adams each had 22 points in the contest. Adams also contributed 11 rebounds and three steals. Junior guard Aleesha Powell had one of her most complete efforts of the season in the win, scoring 18 points along with a game high seven assists.
Iona saw five and eight point leads erased in the first half by the Saints, who hung tight with the Maroon & Gold for most of the contest. With Iona ahead 36-33 late in the first, a three by Siena's Kelsey Booth tied the game at 36 at half. In the first 20 minutes of play, the Gaels connected on fewer field goals than the Saints, but were aided by five three pointers and nine points from the charity stripe.
In the second half, the teams traded early baskets as Siena took its first lead of the contest, 43-41, on a layup by Meghan Donohue with 17:08 on the clock. The Saints would then extend their lead to five, 55-50, on a layup by Brianna Logan with 13:19 remaining.
Iona would erase the lead with a 6-0 run, going ahead 56-55 on a three pointer by sophomore guard Aaliyah Robinson. A pair of Logan free throws gave the Saints the lead back, 57-56, before Martinez responded with a layup that gave Iona the advantage for good.
Martinez's layup sparked a 20-9 run for the Gaels, who took a 76-66 lead on a three pointer by redshirt freshman guard Christina Rubin with 4:32 remaining. Martinez scored 11 of the team's points during the run, including a pair of three pointers from the top of the arc.
Siena would trim the lead to four, 78-74, on another Donohue layup with 1:51 remaining but the Gaels fought off the surge, with Powell scoring six points in the final 90 seconds to help the Gaels secure its eighth consecutive MAAC regular season victory.
Siena was led by Kanika Cummings' game high 31 points and Donohue's 12 points and 14 rebounds. The Gaels are back in action when they travel to Saint Peter's on New Year's Eve. Tip is set for 2:00 pm.
