LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Gaels dropped their regular season series to the Rider Broncs on Sunday afternoon in an 80-53 decision. The Broncs had four players in double figures while junior Alexis Lewis collected her second consecutive 20-point scoring effort for the Maroon & Gold.
Lewis finished with 23 points off the bench on 8-for-17 shooting. She made 2-of-3 from three-point land and also swiped up a team-best three steals. The Pittson, PA native pulled down 14 rebounds, seven offensive and seven defensive, for her tenth double-double of the season.
The Broncs began the game on a 10-0 run with senior Kamila Hoskova leading the early charge on three quick baskets. The Gaels got their first field goal with four minutes remaining in the quarter but Rider answered with three consecutive makes from beyond the arc to secure a 19-9 edge at the end of one.
Rider and Iona traded three-point plays as the second quarter unfolded. A cold-spell struck the Maroon & Gold as Rider's sophomore Stella Johnson achieved a mini 6-0 run herself to elevate the Broncs' advantage to as high as 18. The Gaels broke a three-minute FG drought with a few late baskets that put them down 37-24 at intermission.
Lewis entered intermission with a game-high 15 points at the time. Rider answered her play with consistent 55.6% propelled by Johnson and Hoskova each combined for 24 first half points on 10-of-13 from the floor. Freshman Toyosi Abiola played just 10 minutes in the first half for Iona and was limited to zero points and three turnovers.
Junior Treyanna Clay picking up her third foul in the opening moments of the third quarter in conjunction with Rider's sophomore Lexi Stover hitting three triples in the opening four minutes marked a game-defining stretch. Iona went scoreless for over four minutes and were held without a field goal for over seven minutes as Rider expanded its lead to 62-35 after 30 minutes.
Iona scored a team-best 16 points in the fourth quarter but Rider's lead remained comfortable until the end of regulation. The Broncs shot 64% in the second half and dominated throughout the game from long range with an incredible 11-of-16 performance beyond the arc. Rider's 59.6% field goal percentage 68.8% three-point shooting are both the highest an Iona opponent has shot this season.
Johnson finished the game with eight field goals, 17 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists, and six steals. Rider, who entered the game averaging just 11.0 assists per game, had 17 helpers as a team. In comparison, Iona dished out just five assists compared to 22 turnovers. The Maroon & Gold's handovers led directed to 26 Bronc points.
Abiola, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week played a MAAC-game low 27 minutes and ended with four points, one rebound and one steal. Junior Treyanna Clay scored 10 points and sophomore Amelia Motz scored six.
Iona's next game is at Saint Peter's on Thursday evening. The Gaels and Peacocks will tip off at 7 PM from the Yanitelli Center.
The program's next home game is on Saturday, Feb. 18 against Manhattan. It'll be Iona's senior day as well as alumni appreciation day. Be sure to arrive early for a pregame ceremony honoring senior Kristin Mahoney.
Fans can keep up with the latest news and excitement surrounding Iona women's basketball by following the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
