NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Junior guard Damika Martinez scored an Iona College women's basketball single-game record 42 points as the Gaels defeated Columbia 83-67 Monday evening in non-conference action at the Hynes Athletics Center.

Martinez connected on a career high 17 shots from the field, including six from the behind the arc. Her 42 points are the sixth most scored in a contest this season in Division I.

Sophomore forward Joy Adams scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds to along with four assists and four steals. Redshirt senior guard Haley D'Angelo and junior guard Aleesha Powell combined for 13 of Iona's 23 assists in the contest.  Senior Sabrina Jeridore had four rebounds and three blocks, tying Anna McLean for Iona's career blocked shots mark with 185.  Overall 10 players found the scoring column for the Maroon & Gold as the team shot 55.2% from the field.

The Gaels led for all but 24 seconds of the contest. With the game tied at six with 16:50 remaining in the first, Iona went on a 13-2 surge, taking a 19-8 lead with 12:33 left on a jumper by Jeridore. The Gaels would extend their lead to a first half high of 18 points on three different occasions, before a jumper by Martinez with one second remaining gave Iona a 46-32 lead at the intermission.

In the first half, Martinez posted 26 points on 11-for-16 shooting while D'Angelo had five assists in the first 20 minutes of action.

The Gaels opened the second half on a 23-9 run, extending their lead to 25 points on Martinez's 39th point before taking a game high 28 point lead on Martinez's final basket of the game, a three pointer with 13:09 left in the contest.

The 42 points broke the previous record of 38 set by former Iona standout Maria Johnson during the 1978-79 season. It marked Martinez's third 30-plus point effort of the season, and Iona record seventh of her career.

The Gaels are back in action Dec. 21 when they take on Central Florida of the AAC on the road. Tip is set for 1:00 pm.