FAIRFIELD, CT – The Iona College women's basketball team struggled to maintain rhythm in the second half as they fell to Fairfield, 67-56, on Sunday. Junior guard Morgan Rachu scored 19 points to lead the Gaels for the second straight contest.

GAME SUMMARY

Iona had success inside and Fairfield did damage from the outside in the early portion of the first quarter. The Stags' first four makes came from beyond the arc; Morgan Rachu and Juana Camilion did most of the damage offensively for the Gaels, getting to the cup with ease. Fairfield was looking to make it a two-possession game before the end of the first frame, but a misstep on the end line gave the Maroon & Gold the ball with seven seconds left. Shyan Mwai raced from end to end and put in a teardrop at the buzzer to tie things up at 18.
 
Both teams eventually settled down after a high-scoring first period. Rachu, who had 11 points after one frame, opened up with a make from downtown to give Iona the lead. Extended scoring droughts prevented either side from cementing a big advantage on the scoreboard; the Maroon & Gold's lead never grew larger than four points. In a 45 second stretch, the Stags tied the game and re took the lead thanks to baskets from Diouf and Hernangomez. The Gaels were responsible for the final three buckets of the quarter, regaining the lead once more. Iona held Fairfield scoreless for the final 2:39 of the half. 
 
The lead would continue to change hands in the third quarter before Fairfield went on a 7-0 run that lasted about two minutes long, grabbing a lead they would not surrender. The Stags had an answer for every Gael bucket; an Armstrong lay in at the buzzer sent the game to the final quarter with Fairfield leading by seven.
 
The Stags' advantage reached double-figures in the opening minute of the fourth quarter with a three from Hakes. Camilion's jumper on the following possession brought Iona back within single figures for the final time that day. The Maroon & Gold were held without a point for nearly four minutes; Lesko converted on two free throws, but the deficit was back into double-digits. 11 points was as close as Iona got for the remainder of the game as Fairfield ran away with things in the second half.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• The bulk of Iona's scoring came from Lesko, Rachu, Camilion and Mwai. The four scorers accounted for 53 of the Gaels' 56 points and 19-of-20 field goals.
• Iona was out rebounded 44-25. Fairfield collected 19 offensive rebounds compared to just six for Iona. Diouf pulled down 20 of the Stags' 44 rebounds.
• Iona was a solid 12-15 from the free throw line. The Gaels shot 8-11 from the stripe in the first quarter but didn't have any opportunities in the second or third periods.
• The Maroon & Gold shot 40% or better in every quarter, except for the fourth.
• Iona's bench scored two points in the loss. The bench had scored in double-figures in eight straight games entering today.
• Fairfield sweeps the season series and now owns a 59-30 advantage in the overall series between the two programs.

UP NEXT

Iona will conclude the 2018-19 regular season on Thursday at Saint Peter's. The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed on YouTube Live.

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