NEW ROCHELLE, NY – After Iona forced a shot clock violation with six seconds left and the score knotted at 57 all, a referee review of an off-ball foul from 15 seconds earlier resulted in Paulla Weekes being charged with an intentional foul. Niagara's Jai Moore headed to the line, sank two free throws and the Purple Eagles possessed, now holding a 59-57 lead. The Maroon & Gold would go on to lose, 63-57.

GAME SUMMARY

Niagara jumped out to a 4-0 lead to open things, holding Iona scoreless for the first three-plus minutes of play. Lucia Becerra Perez drew a foul and hit on one-of-two free throws to open the scoring for the Maroon & Gold. Her layup on the next possession put Iona down a point.
 
Three pointers from Angel Parker and Maggie McIntyre gave Niagara a 10-6 advantage midway through the quarter. Iona would pull within one at the quarters' end after a Shyan Mwai pull-up jumper went down. 
 
Mwai knotted the score at 14 apiece with a free throw at the onset of the second quarter, but Niagara would regain the advantage with buckets from Morgan Baughman and Jordan Edwards. The lead remained with Niagara for the next six-plus minutes, but by no more than five points. Back-to-back buckets from Mwai once again knotted the score, 23-23, with 2:34 remaining in the half.
 
The lead changed hands four times in the final two minutes of the half, the final change coming after Monica Barefield's layup that pushed Iona in front, 27-26, after 20 full minutes of play. 
 
Edwards' three-pointer to open the half gave Niagara the lead back. Juana Camilion answered with a bucket inside to tie it up once more. The Purple Eagles answered the bell however, scoring 11 straight points and opening up a 40-29 lead, their largest of the evening.
 
Triples from Camilion and Mwai snapped a three-plus minute scoring drought and brought Iona within five points. Down six points with just under four minutes to play, Iona roared back to again grab the lead. It would last exactly 60 seconds; McIntyre's shot from long range went down and the Gaels trailed 47-45. Mwai hit another shot before the quarter ended, sending things into the fourth quarter even at 47.
 
Weekes hit back-to-back three-pointers to give Iona a four point advantage in the opening minute of the final frame. Niagara would hold Iona without a field goal for nearly nine minutes. The Gaels, with the help of good defense and free throws, remained within striking distance. Lesko's layup with 41 seconds left in regulation snapped the field goal drought, drew a foul and tied the game. She would miss the free throw, however.
 
Neither side could score after that, and it seemed that the Maroon & Gold would have the final chance at winning the game, before a replay review resulted in technical free throws for the Purple Eagles. The shot clock violation forced by Iona became a moot point and six free throws from Niagara in the final six seconds would allow them to escape with a 63-57 victory in New Rochelle.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Mwai led all players with 21 points, her second-best scoring output of the season. The sophomore shot 8-11 from the floor and 4-6 from beyond the arc.
• Edwards poured in a career-high 15 points, leading all Niagara scorers.
• Morgan Rachu and Lesko pulled down a game-best seven rebounds.
• Becerra Perez, Lesko and Edwards all had three assists, the high mark of the evening.
• Adia Brisker finished with a game-high four steals. Camilion and Baughman each finished with one block.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Iona's loss to Niagara is the fourth straight in recent history. After winning in her first eight meetings with the Purple Eagles, head coach Billi Chambers has been on the losing end the last two seasons.
• The Gaels shot a higher percentage than Niagara from the floor (46% - 42%), but were outmatched percentage wise at the free throw line and from behind the arc.
• Niagara turned 26 Iona turnovers into 29 points. Iona had 10 steals and converted them into 16 points.
• Becerra Perez's nine points are a new career-high for the rookie. 
• Iona ended the night hitting on just 1-of-9 field goals and with four turnovers in the final four minutes.
• Camilion and Mwai combined to score 31 of the Gaels' 57 points.

AROUND THE MAAC

• Manhattan took care of Siena on the road, 80-50, moving to 4-2 in league play.
• Quinnipiac used a strong second-half performance to fend off Monmouth, 60-53.
• Fairfield escaped with a 72-70 victory over the Canisius Golden Griffs.
• Rider took down Marist in a battle of the top-two teams in the conference standings, 76-72.

UP NEXT

Iona returns to action on Saturday, January 18 at 1:00 p.m. as they welcome Fairfield to the Hynes Center. The Stags are currently undefeated in conference play.

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