NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Anchored by a dominant 23 minute defensive stretch, the Iona College women's basketball team improved to 9-7, 4-3 MAAC with a 68-61 win at the Hynes Athletics Center over the Niagara University Purple Eagles.
Niagara jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, converting on multiple opportunities in the paint while the Gaels missed three layups in the first three minutes. Sophomore Treyanna Clay got the Maroon & Gold on the board to end the streak at the 6:09 mark.
The early woes continued as Iona found itself down 16 points, but a pair of baskets from senior Karynda DuPree and sophomore Alexis Lewis created a large swing that saw the Gaels erupt for a 12-0 run over the final 2:11 of the quarter. The Purple Eagles held a slim 22-18 as the second quarter got underway.
With the Gael defensive intensity ratcheting up come the end of the first, the Purple Eagles offense went ice cold from the floor midway through the second. Niagara did not score over the final 7:35 of the quarter while Iona marched forward with an 11-0 run. Iona gained its first lead of the game with 3:33 to go in the second off a pair of free throws from DuPree.
A catalyst for the momentum swing came when the Maroon & Gold drew back-to-back offensive fouls on Niagara's leading scorer and rebounder, RS Junior Victoria Rampado. The Gaels held the Purple Eagles to just six second quarter points, tying an opponent-low in any quarter this season.
Iona entered the locker room with a 32-28 lead, led by Lewis and DuPree's eight points apiece. Lewis also had already set a career-high with five assists in the first half.
The third quarter began and Iona continued to suffocate the opposition on the defensive end. Niagara finally ended its scoring drought at 6:13 of the third quarter with a three-pointer by freshman Morgan Baughman. However just one possession later, Rampado picked up her third foul of the game on another offensive drawn charge
After scoring 22 points in the first eight minutes of the game, Niagara scored just 13 points over the ensuing 23 minutes as the final frame began. The Gaels 44-35 lead at the start of the grew to double digits with sophomore Philecia Atkins-Gilmore hitting her second three-pointer of the game. The margin would grow to as many as 16 points as Iona carried itself through the fourth quarter.
Lewis finished the game with a game-high 19 points, career-high and game-high eight assists, five rebounds, and a game-high four steals. Senior Karnda DuPree ended with 14 points, a team-high nine rebounds, and game-high four blocks.
Coming off the bench, senior Marina Lizarazu had five points, two assists and two steals. Atkins-Gilmore recorded her third 18+ point performance in her past four games, shooting 4-for-8 from the floor and collecting seven rebounds.
The Purple Eagles had three players in double-figures, led by junior Kaylee Stroemple's 13 points. Rampado had 12 points and senior Tiffany Corselli finished with 11.
The Gaels shot 45.3% from the floor, and hit eight three pointers while shooting 53.5% from long range. The Maroon & Gold assisted on 17 of their 24 made field goals.
The Gaels have a quick turnaround as they welcome the Marist College Red Foxes to the Hynes Center on Sunday, Jan. 15 for a 2 PM tip.
