BRIDGEPORT, CT - Trailing by five with 3:04 remaining in the contest, the Iona College women's basketball team ended the game on a 12-2 run, and defeated Fairfield 64-59 Saturday morning in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Webster Bank Arena.
Held to just 36.2% shooting from the field, the Gaels were aided by 10 three pointers. It marked the fifth time in seven conference matchups that the Maroon & Gold connected on 10-plus baskets from behind the arc.
Junior guard Damika Martinez scored 23 points, including two late three pointers that ignited the Iona run. Sophomore guard Aaliyah Robinson once again stepped up for the Gaels, matching a career high with 17 points off the bench. Sophomore forward Joy Adams scored 16 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for her 14th double-double of the season, including 10 boards on the offensive glass, matching a career best.
The Maroon & Gold took an early 3-0 lead on a three pointer by junior guard Aleesha Powell before the Stags countered with a 15-4 run, taking a 15-7 lead on a jumper by Katie Cizynski. Fairfield would extend its lead to double digits, 19-9, with 9:23 remaining in the period on a layup by Christelle Akon-Akech.
Trailing 28-17, with 4:56 left in the half, Iona ended the stanza on a 12-2 run, cutting the lead to four 30-26 on a layup by senior center Sabrina Jeridore, before a three pointer by Robinson with 51 seconds remaining cut the deficit to one as the teams headed to the locker room.
The Gaels grabbed a 32-30 lead to open the second half on one of Martinez's five three pointers before back-to-back trifectas from Fairfield's Alexis Vazquez pushed the Stags ahead by four, 36-32.
The Stags kept the margin in their favor for the majority of the second half, as a jumper by Cizynski with 3:04 remaining gave the home team a 57-52 cushion. In the final three minutes of play, the Gaels got a pair of Martinez triples to slash the lead to one, 59-58, before Adams' layup with 51 seconds remaining gave Iona a 60-59 lead. Iona then connected on four free throws in the final 30 seconds, two from Martinez and two from Robinson, to seal the victory.
Cizynski led the Stags with a game high 25 points and a team high eight rebounds. Iona is back in action Monday, when it welcomes Manhattan to the Hynes Center for a 7:00 pm tip.
