NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Despite sophomore Alexis Lewis's sixth double-double of the season, the Iona College women's basketball team dropped its MAAC contest to the Marist Red Foxes on Sunday afternoon, 68-62. 

Lewis ended with a team-high 17 points, 14 rebounds and one assist.  She played all 40 minutes and shot 6-for-13 from the floor, 2-of-6 from long range.  Senior Marina Lizarazu scored 12 points in 22 minutes, and senior Karynda DuPree ended with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Marist was led by sophomore Maura Fitzpatrick's 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.  Freshman Hannah Hand netted 14 points, hitting two threes and six free throws.  She also collected a team-high nine rebounds and passes three assists.

The tide turned in the second quarter when Iona shot just 23.5% and scored nine total points.  The Red Foxes shot 53.8% in second quarter and took a 35-27 lead at halftime.  DuPree and Lizarazu were limited in the first half due to early foul trouble, combining to play just 12 minutes.

The Gaels made a run in the third quarter, tying the game at 43 on a Lizarazu layup with three minutes to go.  Marist weathered the storm and managed to a 49-48 lead into the fourth and final frame.

The Red Foxes maintained a one possession lead for the majority of the final 10 minutes.  Iona had its best chance to tie with 3:12 to go when Lewis, junior Kristin Mahoney, and junior Philecia Atkins-Gilmore each missed game-tying three point attempts.

Freshman Rebekah Hand arrived to the party with 1:40 left and hit a bucket to push the Marist led to five.  She late hits a pair of free throws that delivered the final nail in the Maroon & Gold comeback attempt.

Iona is off until next Friday, Jan. 20 when it travels to Riverdale, NY to do battle against the Manhattan Jaspers.