NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The title defense is off to a strong start for the Iona College women's basketball program. The Gaels won their home-opener Friday evening against Stony Brook, 57-46. The Seawolves scored just 14 second half points, and the duo of freshman Tori Lesko and sophomore Alexis Lewis propelled the Maroon & Gold offense to a proper start.
The Seawolves scored 11 points off six early Gael turnovers as Iona and Stony Brook traded the lead three times in the first quarter. The Maroon & Gold trailed Stony Brook 15-14 at the end of the first after SBU senior Kori Bayne-Walker nailed a couple free throws in the closing moments. Lewis got off to a hot start for Iona, scoring seven points in 10 minutes.
MAAC unanimous Preseason Player of the Year Marina Lizarazu picked up two fouls in the first quarter, forcing head coach Billi Godsey to go deep into the bench. The offensive flow struggled to regain footing as Stony Brook expanded its lead to seven at the halftime break, 32-25.
Iona shot 33.3% in the first half, hitting two of 10 from beyond the arc. 12 first half turnovers led to 16 total points off turnovers for the Seawolves in the opening two quarters. Lewis had 13 points in the first half to lead all scorers. Lesko made her presence known on the boards, collecting six rebounds in 17 minutes.
The Gaels made defensive changes in the third quarter, and the results proved themselves instantly. Stony Brook shot just 14% in the third quarter, scoring just four points. Iona forced six turnovers and converted the extra possessions into nine points. A 9-0 run over the final 6:55 of the period, and 7-0 stretch in final 2:10, allowed Iona to take a 40-36 lead heading into the final frame.
Stony Brook got back-to-back threes from Bayne-Walker and junior Aaliyah Worley to get within four points at 48-44 with 5:23 to go. That would be the final push for the Seawolves as the Gaels ended the game on 9-2 run behind icing free throws from Lewis and Lizarazu.
After shooting 46.4% in the first half, Stony Brook shot just 20% in the third and fourth quarters. It ended the game shooting 32.8% overall, and 16.7% from three-point land. Iona forced 17 turnovers and had seven steals.
Iona outrebounded Stony Brook 47-29, led by nine rebounds from Lesko and senior Karynde DuPree. Lizarazu had five rebounds from the point guard position, and Lewis corralled in eight.
Lewis finished with a game-high 18 points on 7-17 shooting. She, and the Gaels as a whole, struggled to shoot from long range. Lewis hit just 1 for 6 and her teammates combined to go 1 for 8. Lesko stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Lizarazu contributed nine points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Bayne-Walker netted a team-high 17 points and three assists for Stony Brook. Red-Shirt junior Elizabeth Manner finished with seven rebounds,
The Gaels return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 16 against St. Joseph's at 7 PM in the Hynes Center.
