NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College women's basketball program picked up a massive MAAC win over Fairfield on Sunday afternoon, 65-55. Behind three double digit scorers, the Gaels ended their three game skid and recaptured momentum heading into the final two games of the season.
Prior to the game, Head Coach Billi Godsey, Associate Head Coach Ashlee Kelly, and Vice President of Athletics Administration Rick Cole Jr. honored the program's two senior student-athlete, Karynda DuPree and Marina Lizarazu.
Come the start of the game, two of the top three defensive teams in the conference showed their prowess early on; Iona and Fairfield combined to shoot 3-for-14 before the first media timeout. Sophomore Alexis Lewis hit a pair of threes that had the game knotted at eight apiece, but a pair of late baskets by Stags senior Kristine Miller and redshirt junior Samantha Cooper gave Fairfield a 13-11 lead after one.
Come the second, the Iona defense retched up the pressure and forced six Fairfield turnovers. Taking advantage of extra possessions, DuPree gave the Gaels their first lead of the game with a layup at 5:54 of the second. The Milwaukee, WI native had a dominant second quarter, finishing the first half with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Iona entered the locker room with a 27-24. Lewis had 11 points and the break, and Lizarazu entered the locker room already with a balanced 4 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Fairfield dealt with some foul trouble in the first half. Senior Casey Smith picked up her second personal foul with 3:50 remaining in the first, leading to an extended stay on the bench. Additionally, Cooper was dispensed her second in the latter portions of the half.
The Stags outshot the Gaels 43.5% to 25.8% in the first half. The Maroon & Gold held their three-point lead due in large part to seven offensive rebounds which led to six points.
Iona came out hot in the second half with baskets from DuPree and Freshman Amelia Motz. The Stags bounced back with lay-ups from Smith and Cooper, leading to coach Godsey calling a timeout at 6:31 with the Gaels leading, 33-30.
Fairfield continued its strong offense and when on an 11-0 run, opening up a 39-33 lead. Lewis hit her fourth three-pointer of the game at 4:01, ending a four-minute scoring drought and bringing Iona back to within three. Iona's sharp-shooter wasn't done; Lewis hit her fifth of the game to give the Gaels back a 43-42 lead.
The Stags did not make a field goal for the final 5:27, and Iona closed out the third with a buzzer beater from Motz to give it a five-point cushion entering the final frame.
Iona shot 51.6% in the second half, led by 20 combined points on 9-for-18 shooting from DuPree and Lewis.
The Stags attempted a comeback in the fourth using seven second chance points, but the Gaels went on a mini five run spurt over a 2:45 stretch, opening up a 60-48 lead with 3:03 remaining in the fourth. The Gaels closed of the 65-55 win with free throws from junior Kristen Mahoney and Lizarzu.
DuPree finished the game with a career-high 20 points and career-high 14 rebounds. Lizarazu was on triple-double watch, scoring 12, dishing out a season-high 10 assists, and collecting seven rebounds. Lewis netted her ninth 20+ point game of the season, scoring 21 on 8-for-18 shooting; she knocked down five threes and pulled down seven rebounds.
Motz tied her season high with six points on 3-for-7 shooting. Sophomore Treyanna Clay dished out three assists, and freshman Tori Lesko ended with four helpers.
Fairfield was led by Smith's 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting in addition to six rebounds and one assist. Miller came off the bench to supply 11 points on 3-for-3 shooting.
Iona plays its final regular season game at the Hynes Center Wednesday evening against Saint Peter's. Tip-off is set for 7 PM and the game can be watched live on ESPN3.
