PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Maroon & Gold returned to its tough non-conference schedule Wednesday evening with a game against Rutgers of the Big-10 conference. The Scarlett Knights stifled the Iona offense as the Gaels dropped to 3-6 on the season with a 58-33 loss at The RAC.
Senior guard Aaliyah Robinson scored a team-high 15 points, shooting 5 of 10 from the floor; she was the lone player in double-figures for Iona. Junior Marina Lizarazu finishing with nine points and four assists.
Rutgers got off to a hot start, taking a 16-5 lead into the first timeout midway thought the opening quarter. Junior Tyler Scaife had 12 points for the Scarlet Knights in the opening five minutes of the game.
Lizarazu was able to get a right-handed scoop layup with 1:30 on the clock in the first quarter to end a 12-0 Rutgers run.
Entering the second quarter trailing 29-10, Iona used an 11-0 to get themselves back into the game. Robinson acted as the Gaels catalyst hitting two three-point field goals, including one that became an uncommon four-point play.
The Maroon & Gold trailed 37-24 at the halftime break. The Gaels struggled to carry momentum into the locker room due in large part to the fact that they missed their last seven shots of the half.
Head Coach Billi Godsey looked to the bench in order to spark the Gaels at the start of the second half; Philecia Gilmore began the third quarter on the floor, replacing starter Iida Ahvenainen.
Despite the change, the defense of Rutgers would not relent; Iona missed their first ten shots of the second half, allowing for a 12-0 Scarlett Knight run that stretched from end of the second into the third. Robinson would break Iona's field goal drought at 2:02 in the with a fast break layup, but it was too little, too late. Rutgers had pushed their advantage to 52-29 heading into the final quarter.
There was a lid on both baskets to begin the fourth as neither team scored for the first 6:09 of the fourth quarter. Scaife started the tallying in the low-scoring final ten minutes with a fast break lay-in, and senior Joy Adams got Iona on the board at 2:59 off an offensive rebound put-back.
In total, Iona shot 4 for 24 over the second halff, tallying nine total points. The Gaels shot a season low 24.1% for the game, and committed 19 turnovers compared to only five assists. Rutgers scored 17 points off those giveaway opportunities.
Rutgers were led by Scaife who finished with a game-high 20 points. Seniors Kahleah Copper and Briyona Canty each had nine points. Post force Rachel Hollivay controlled the play within the blocks with six blocked shots.
Adams scored six points and grabbed nine boards. Senior Karynda DuPree and freshman Alexis Lewis both dropped in one field goal for two points.
Iona's next contest will be this Sunday, Dec. 13, at home in the Hynes Athletics Center against North Texas. The Gaels will look to pick up their second win in New Rochelle when tipoff ensues at 2 PM.
