Post Game Press Conference | Photo Gallery | Highlights
ALBANY, NY – The No. 10 seeded Iona College women's basketball team fell to the No. 7 Manhattan Jaspers in the first round of the MAAC Championship on Thursday. Freshman Jayden Eggleston ended the season playing on an elevated level as she led the Gaels with 15 points, eight rebounds and four steals.
The first half was a war of defensive attrition. After senior Kayla Grimme scored eight points in the first five minutes for Manhattan, the Maroon & Gold forced six Jasper turnovers in a frantic four-minute stretch. The free throw line treated Iona well in the opening frame and was necessary as Iona missed 11 straight field goals and shot 2-for-13 overall. Behind Grimme's 10 total first quarter points, Manhattan held a 12-10 lead after one.
Junior Alexis Lewis ended an over nine-minute field goal drought for the Gaels with her first basket in the opening minute of the second. Eggleston gave Iona its first lead of the game at 14-12. Manhattan missed its first six shots of the quarter. The Jaspers shot 2-for-14 and both made field goals were fade away mid-range jumpers by senior All-MAAC player, Amani Tatum.
Iona held a 19-18 lead at the intermission despite shooting 6-for-24 in the first half. Eggleston had six points, six rebounds and three steals at the intermission. Grimme led the Jasper charge with 10 points and four boards. Each team had over 10 turnovers.
The momentum fully swung Manhattan's way when it saw three-straight three-point field goals connect at start of the second half. That 9-0 run pushed the Jaspers in front by five with 6:03 left in the third. With the deficit hovering within one possession, the Gaels committed two late turnovers that led to a pair of fast break baskets for the Jaspers. Sophomore Gabby Cajou and Tatum gave Manhattan a 37-29 entering the fourth quarter.
Manhattan opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run and eventually saw its lead swell to as large as 21 as the game wound down. The Jaspers shot 50% in the fourth quarter, and 55.2% in the second half on way to ending the Maroon & Gold's season.
Grimme ended the game with a game-high 16 points, four blocks and team-high eight rebounds. Tatum scored 14 points in addition to six rebound and four assists. Cajou collected a game-high five steals and had four helpers.
For Iona, All-MAAC Third Team honoree Alexis Lewis scored 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting. She also had five rebounds and two steals. Junior Treyanna Clay collected nine points, shooting 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference awards show is tomorrow, Friday, Mar. 2 at 10:30 AM. The show can be watched live on ESPN3 or WATCHESPN.
Fans can keep up with the latest news and excitement surrounding Iona women's basketball by following the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
