NEW ROCHELLE, NY – With a strong second half effort, and a balanced offense attack, the Iona College women's basketball program earned their eleventh straight home win at the Hynes Athletics Center. The Gaels outlasted the Fairfield Stags to earn their 16th Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference win with a 69-53 victory.
Entering the contest, the Stags had won eight of their last nine games, only suffering a heart-breaking last second lost at Marist it their last matchup. The Maroon & Gold welcomed Fairfield to the New Rochelle knowing that a win would grant them a chance to win the MAAC Regular Season Championship in their upcoming matchup against Quinnipiac on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The first time Iona and Fairfield met up was back on Dec. 2 in the first conference game of the 2015-16 season; the Gaels took the #MAACHoops opener in a 64-54 decision.
The Gaels had to manage a hot shooting start from the Stags; senior Lizzy Ball dished out five assists in the first quarter, pushing Fairfield to an efficient opening frame; they shot 50% from the floor and led 18-14 as the second quarter began.
Iona's second quarter was one of a hot-and-cold temperament; for 7:36 stretch, the Gaels missed 11 straight shots, yet they ended the half with a momentous rush to take a 33-30 lead into the recess.
Despite the plus-three margin, Fairfield held the advantage in the majority of statistical categories. The Stags shot 46%, and managed to hold Iona senior Joy Adams scoreless. Redshirt junior Casey Smith led all scorers with 10 points at the break, and Ball had a then game-high eight assists. Junior Marina Lizarazu had a team-high nine points on four-of-nine shooting.
The third quarter was when Iona separated themselves for the MAAC preseason favorite. The Gaels offense got in full swing, shooting 48% from the floor, using the paint to their advantage. Senior Karynda DuPree and Adams combined to score 12 points in the frame, scoring all their points from the painted area. The accent, and momentous catalyst of the contest came when senior Aaliyah Robinson hit a three as the buzzer sounded to give the Maroon & Gold a 55-41 lead entering the fourth.
The Gaels finished the game shooting 41% from the floor, and 33% from long range. Lizarazu pulled down four rebounds, passed six assists, and scored a team-high 16 points on seven-of-11 shooting. Adams ended the game with eight points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
Freshman Alexis Lewis finished with 13 points and seven rebounds. Robinson scored 11 on three-for-10 shooting. DuPree scored 13 points, tying a career-high.
Iona outrebounded Fairfield 42-28, and held a plus 13 margin on the offensive glass. The Gaels scored 13 second chance points, and 15 points off of the Stags 17 turnovers.
Smith finished with 16 points to lead Fairfield, and Ball managed to spread the ball out for 10 helpers.
With the win over Fairfield, the Maroon & Gold overall record stands at 20-10; it's the third time in the past four seasons that the Gaels have crossed the 20-win plateau.
Head Coach Billi Godsey will look to secure her second MAAC regular season title this upcoming Sunday, Feb. 28, when the defending conference tournament championships Quinnipiac enters the Hynes Center. Tipoff between the Iona and Quinnipiac is set for 1 PM.
