NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Behind the efforts of senior Marina Lizarazu and her second straight 20-point scoring performance, the Iona College women's basketball team took down Monmouth at the Hynes Center, 60-54.
The MAAC Preseason Player of the Year led all scorers with 24 points on 7-16 shooting. Lizarazu went 10-12 from the free throw line, including four straight in the final 30 seconds to seal the deal. She now has six games with 20+ points this season.
Senior Karynda DuPree chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds. She had a game-high three blocks while junior Philecia Atkins-Gilmore recorded a game-high four steals. Sophomore Alexis Lewis had seven points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Freshman Taylor Nason led Monmouth with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Freshmen Kayla Shaw and Alaina Jarnot each ended with eight points apiece. Jarnot dished out a team-high three assists.
The game started with the Hawks jumping out to an early 5-0 lead. Monmouth held the lead for the majority of the first quarter until Lewis hit a layup with 2:12 left to give the Maroon & Gold a 9-8 edge. The Gaels would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.
DuPree had a dominant second quarter, carrying the Gaels with seven points and three rebounds. When Iona entered the locker room at halftime with a 30-25 lead, the senior captain led all scorers at halftime with 11 points. The Gaels 40.0% in the first half, converting two triples. The Hawks entered the break at 32.1%, but remained within striking distance hitting 50.0% from beyond the arc.
The Iona offense stuttered a bit in the third, slowing down to just 28.6% shooting and committing seven turnovers. The Hawks could only muster five points off the Gael miscues, and the Maroon & Gold defense stepped up to hold Monmouth to 33.3% shooting in the frame. Iona entered the fourth quarter with a 43-39 lead.
Lizarazu stepped up in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points and picking up a pair of key steals. Her efforts were needed as the Hawks breached the comeback attempt with 1:36 left; Shaw hit a triple from right in front of the Monmouth bench that brought her team to within one, but a free throw from sophomore Treyanna Clay, and four straight from Lizarazu aided Iona in the six-point win.
With the win, Iona improved its record to 11-8 overall, and 6-4 in conference play. The Maroon & Gold return to action on Thursday early evening in Poughkeepsie, NY when they take the court against the Marist Red Foxes at 5:30 PM.
