NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona lost a back-and-forth affair on Saturday afternoon to Quinnipiac, 67-63. The Maroon & Gold could have tied the game on two different occasions in the final frame, but the resiliency of Quinnipiac prevailed.

GAME SUMMARY

The Gaels opened up the game with a sound first quarter of basketball on both sides of the ball. Juana Camilion scored four early points for Iona, who trailed 8-6 at the first media break.
 
Out of the timeout, Paulla Weekes emerged offensively, using the baseline to her advantage to get a couple of buckets. The Gaels forced a couple of Quinnipiac turnovers, drawing an offensive foul on the driving Taylor Herd and causing a five-second violation on an inbounds. A strong first quarter ended with a defensive breakdown, allowing Shaq Edwards to bury a triple at the buzzer and give the Bobcats a 13-12 lead after one.
 
Quinnipiac controlled the second quarter, particularly in the early portion. The Bobcats scored 14 of the first 20 points across the opening five-plus minutes. Shyan Mwai was responsible for Iona's six points in that period of time, connecting on two triples.
 
Sajada Bonner scored inside to end the half, extending Quinnipiac's lead to 33-22 as the two sides headed into the break.
 
The Gaels exploded offensively in the second half; a 6-0 spurt forced a Quinnipiac timeout early on. Out of the timeout, the onslaught continued for the Maroon & Gold, who went on an 18-2 run and took a 40-37 lead, the team's first advantage on the scoreboard of the afternoon.
 
Taylor Herd ended the third quarter the same way Edwards ended the first, connecting on a triple at the horn and giving the Bobcats the lead once more. Iona trailed 42-40 entering the fourth period of play.
 
Both sides found themselves in foul trouble in the final frame, making it a free throw battle down the stretch. The lead changed hands multiple times, with Iona clinging onto a 51-50 lead at the midway point of the quarter.
 
Camilion knocked down two free throws at the 3:04 mark of the fourth period, bringing Iona within one point of tying the game. However, the Gaels were held scoreless for the next two minutes, allowing the Bobcats to build a 61-54 lead with under a minute to play. 
 
Camilion got a layup to fall and then Lesko scored inside to make it a one-possession game with 43 seconds to play. Mackenzie DeWees buried her two free throws on the other side, making it 63-58 in favor of the visitors.
 
Camilion and Lesko again teamed up for back-to-back baskets, tying the game at 63 apiece with 31 seconds on the clock. After Camilion's three, Herd dropped the inbounds pass and it fell out of bounds, allowing the Maroon & Gold to regain possession and tie the game.
 
Edwards drew a foul with 26 seconds left, heading to the charity stripe and connecting on both free throws. The Gaels missed their opportunity to tie it or take the lead and the Bobcats would close out the win with another pair of shots at the free throw line, escaping with a 67-63 victory. 

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Camilion finished with a game and season-best 21 points. Herd was Quinnipiac's leading bucket-getter, totaling 17 points on 6-13 shooting.
• Weekes finished with a new career-best 14 rebounds, three of which were on the offensive glass.
• Edwards dished out a game-high seven assists. Becerra Perez, Camilion and Lesko each had four helpers, the team-leading figure for the Gaels.
• Jaden Ward had the lone blocked shot of the afternoon on either side. Four different Bobcats finished the afternoon with three steals, the high mark of the afternoon.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Camilion's 21 points were a new season-high for the sophomore. Today marks the first time this season she reached the 20-point plateau. The last time Camilion reached 20 points was in Iona's opening round victory in the 2019 MAAC Championship over Siena.
• Weekes surpassed 10 rebounds for the second time in the past three games, setting a new personal-best with 14 boards. The redshirt freshman finished one basket shy of her second career double-double.
• Lesko matched her career-best scoring output, totaling 14 points on 6-13 FG. Today's game is the third time the redshirt junior has scored 14 points. Her six made shots were also a career-best.
• For the third time this season, Monica Barefield scored in double-figures. The junior was a perfect 2-2 from three-point land and 4-4 from the floor overall.
• Iona shot a season-high 50 percent from the floor as a team, topping its previous best (49.1%), which came in the win earlier this year at Quinnipiac. Iona is now 10-3 under head coach Billi Chambers in which they shoot 50% or better.
• Quinnipiac forced 23 Iona turnovers, converting them into 28 points. The Bobcats finished with a 14/10 assist to turnover ratio. 
• The two sides shot a combined 24-47 from the free thow line. Quinnipiac was 18-33 from the stripe, compared to Iona's 6-14 mark.

AROUND THE MAAC

• Siena toppled Canisius, 72-43, in Loudonville, NY.
• Manhattan barely edged out a win over Saint Peter's, winning 68-64.
• Rider remained atop the conference's table, defeating Monmouth 45-28 in Lawrenceville, NJ.

UP NEXT

Iona hosts the Marist Red Foxes for Kids Day at the Hynes Athletics Center on Tuesday afternoon at 11:00 a.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow Iona women's basketball and Iona College athletics on our social media platforms.
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
Iona Women's Basketball: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
 
Tweet #ICWBB
Tweet #MAACHoops
Tweet #GaelNation