NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team connected on just 29.4% of its shots from the field, including 21.4% from behind the arc, and fell 63-40 to Marist College Thursday evening at the Hynes Center.

Sophomore guard Damika Martinez scored 17 points, and fell just one rebound shy of a double-double with 9 boards.  Marist's Leanne Ockenden connected on four three-pointers and led the Red Foxes with 16 points.

Marist ran out to an early 10-1 lead as Iona was held to one point for more than five minutes of play.  A layup by freshman Joy Adams helped kick start the Iona offense, as the Gaels were able to tie the contest at 14 on a layup by Martinez with 9:05 remaining in the half.

The Red Foxes would then rally with nine straight points of their own, igniting a 16-3 run for Marist, as Iona scored just four points over the final nine-plus minutes of the period.  A free throw by freshman guard Aaliyah Robinson with 32 seconds remaining in the half would cut into the run as Iona trailed 30-18 heading into the locker room.

Iona scored the first four points of the second half to trim the deficit to single digits, 30-22 with 17:50 remaining.  Marist would then answer with a 12-0 run, taking a 42-22 lead on a three pointer by Kristina Danella with 14:15 remaining.

Iona would battle, but would only get as close as 15 points the rest of the way, 46-31, on a free throw by sophomore guard Aleesha Powell.  Marist picked up its 11th conference victory of the season while Gaels fell to 6-5 in conference play.

Iona outrebounded the Red Foxes 34-33, but was unable to keep a handle on the ball, committing 19 turnovers in the contest.

The Gaels look to get back on track Saturday, when they host Rider at 4:00 pm in the first of a ESPN3 doubleheader with the men's squad.