FAIRFIELD, CT - The Iona College women's basketball team shot a season high 61.7% from the field, including 71.4% from the outside, and nabbed a 86-62 victory over Sacred Heart in non-conference action Tuesday evening at the William H. Pitt Center.

Junior guard Damika Martinez led the Gaels with 33 points, shooting 12-for-16 from the field, including 4-for-5 from the outside. Martinez also grabbed seven rebounds in the win. Sophomore forward Joy Adams scored 18 points, including 14 in the second half, and pulled down a game high 14 boards. Redshirt freshman Christina Rubin sparked the Gaels' bench with a career high 14 points, knocking down five of her six attempts, including three trifectas.

Iona found itself in an early 4-0 hole, before tying the contest at four on a jumper by Martinez with 17:30 left in the first half. From there, Iona would go on a 6-0 run, taking a 10-4 lead and grabbing an advantage it would not surrender for the rest of the contest.

After the Pioneers would get within two, 28-26, with 4:39 left in the period, the Gaels responded with an 11-3 run, grabbing their first double digit lead, 39-29, on a free throw by junior Aleesha Powell. A three by Martinez with 22 seconds remaining in the period gave Iona its biggest lead of the first half, 45-33.

Sacred Heart trimmed its deficit to nine, 49-40, with 17:10 left in the second half before the Gaels went on a 19-7 run, taking a 21 point lead, 68-47, on a three by Martinez with 10:27 remaining.

The Gaels would hold the 20-point lead for the duration of the contest, grabbing its biggest lead, 86-58, on a free throw by senior guard Shonice Hawkins with 1:03 remaining in the contest.

The Iona defense held Sacred Heart to 32.4% shooting from the field, including 11.1% from three point territory. Adaysha Williams, Gabrielle Washington and Alissa Tarsi led the Pioneers with 11 points each.

The Maroon & Gold returns to the court Monday, Dec. 9, when it hosts Columbia at the Hynes Center for a 7:00 pm tip.