NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College women's basketball team surged from behind late to defeat George Washington 52-43 at the Hynes Center. Behind a season-best 20 points for junior Morgan Rachu and late contributions from multiple others, the Gaels secured their first win.

GAME SUMMARY

George Washington opened up a six-point lead on two separate occasions in the first quarter. The lead grew as big as eight, but a Rachu three-pointer cut into the deficit late in the quarter. The Colonials closed out the period on a 6-0 run, leading 26-15.

The Maroon & Gold came out hot in the second quarter, scoring the first 10 points of the period. Iona played magnificent defense in the quarter, forcing five turnovers. Freshman Shyan Mwai gave the Gaels their first lead of the game with just over a minute left to play, but the lead was vanquished after a buzzer-beating three-pointer from half court sent GW to the locker room with a 32-31 advantage.

The third quarter saw just five total baskets combined between the two teams. Perhaps the biggest bucket of the quarter was a Rachu three that tied things up at 36 with just about a minute left. A layup put the Colonials back on top by two, heading into the final quarter.

Freshman Gabrielle Joseph played all 10 minutes of the fourth quarter and her layup to start the period tied things up once again. The two teams traded baskets to keep the game knotted up, this time at 40 apiece. Following a media timeout, the Colonials knocked down a big three-pointer to take the lead with 4:16 left. The Maroon & Gold beared down on both sides of the floor, scoring the final twelve points of the contest and holding the Colonials scoreless for the final four-plus minutes of regulation.
 

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Rachu continued her streak of double-digit scoring efforts, reaching the 20-point threshold for the first time as a member of the Maroon & Gold.
• Redshirt sophomore Monica Barefield set new season-bests with 11 points, three free-throws made, four assists and two steals.
• Mwai also set new personal-bests with nine points, two three-pointers made and five rebounds.
• Joseph played a career-high 20 minutes, including the final 17-plus.
• Redshirt sophomore Tori Lesko pulled down nine rebounds, a new personal-best.
• After allowing 26 points in the first frame, Iona locked down defensively and allowed just 17 points over the final three quarters.
• The Gaels outscored the Colonials 16-5 in the fourth quarter.
• The victory over George Washington is the first in the history of the program. The series history now sits at 4-1 in favor of the Colonials.

UP NEXT

The Gaels will hit the road once again for a non-conference matchup against Kansas at the Allen Fieldhouse on Sunday, November 25 at 3:00 p.m.

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