LEWISTON, NY – The Iona College women's basketball team saw its four-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Niagara Purple Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Despite Juana Camilion's season-high 23 points, the Gaels could not overcome the Purple Eagles offense, falling 81-63.

GAME SUMMARY

Niagara got off to a quick start on Saturday afternoon, scoring on three of the first six possessions to jump out to a 6-1 advantage. Iona was held without a field goal for almost five minutes before Paulla Weekes drilled a three pointer. The Purple Eagles led 8-6 at the first media break of the contest.
 
Both sides went without a field goal for two-plus minutes out of the media timeout. The two teams traded baskets on back-to-back possessions, both of Iona's coming from Jenae Dublin inside. Angel Parker banked in a one-handed runner from just beyond the three-point line at the buzzer to give Niagara a 19-10 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
Niagara extended its lead to 11 points in the early moments of the second quarter. By the midway point of the period, Iona had scored just once, trimming the deficit to eight points, 22-14. Weekes then used the glass to score on a fadeaway jumper at the free throw line, making it a two-possession game before the quarter's media timeout.
 
Out of the break, Parker drove inside, got fouled and finished the play to end a 6-1 Iona run. Parker completed the three-point play to give Niagara a 24-16 advantage. As it had gone for most of the first half, Niagara had an answer for every Iona basket. The Purple Eagles scored on ensuing possessions following an Iona make three times down the stretch, helping them maintain an eight-point lead. Shyan Mwai's triple late in the quarter went unanswered by the Purple Eagles, finally allowing the Gaels to close the gap a little. Iona finished the quarter by hitting five-of-six shots, heading into halftime trailing 31-26.
 
The same trend from the first two quarters continued into the second half though, as Iona's made field goals were followed by baskets by Niagara. The Purple Eagles led 38-32 at the midway point of the third quarter. Parker began to take over offensively in the latter portion of the frame. She was the catalyst during a 6-0 run for Niagara that allowed them to open up a 44-32 lead, its largest of the afternoon. Her driving layup that put the Purple Eagles up 12 forced Iona to burn a timeout.
 
Camilion later ended Iona's four-and-a-half-minute scoreless drought with a layup in transition, making it 48-37. Anouschka Meijer followed with a triple to make it an 11-point game, but Parker beat the buzzer for the second time in the game, nailing a three from way beyond the arc to subdue the mini run by the Gaels.
 
The two teams came out firing to begin the final frame. Mwai answered an Ally Haar three with one of her own to make it 54-40, but a Maddy Yelle layup made it a 16-point game. Parker's career day continued in the fourth when she reached the 20-point plateau on her second three-point play of the game. 
 
Camilion began to get into a groove offensively down the stretch for Iona. The junior scored 11 straight points for the Maroon & Gold, bringing Iona within 13 points with two minutes left in regulation. Olivia Vezaldenos finally got on the scoresheet, connecting on a second-chance attempt from three to make it 72-61. The Gaels got back within single digits after a layup from Mwai, forcing Niagara to use its final timeout with 54 seconds to play.
 
Out of a Gael timeout after two free throws from the Purple Eagles, Iona set up Camilion for a wide-open three with a sideline out of bounds play, but she missed after a couple of unfortuitous bounces off the rim. Niagara then converted on two more free throws to extend its lead to 76-63 with 44 seconds remaining.
 
Another chance for Camilion came off the side of the rim and time eventually ran out for the Gaels. Niagara managed a split of the weekend series and ended Iona's four-game win streak, winning 81-63.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

• Niagara's Angel Parker was the leader of the pack in nearly every statistical category. She finished with game highs in points (26), rebounds (12), assists (9) and steals (5).
• Camilion finished with a game-best 10 made field goals.
• Valentina Pepic and Camilion finished with a block apiece.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Camilion's 23 points were a season-best for the junior. 13 of her 23 points came in the fourth quarter.
• Camilion moved into 42nd on Iona's all-time scoring list, eclipsing 700 points for her career.
• Meijer scored a career-high 10 points, reaching double-digit points for the first time in her collegiate career. She also knocked down two from beyond the arc, her first three pointers of the season.
• After a career performance on Friday afternoon, Vezaldenos finished with just three points on 1-7 shooting. The senior's lone basket came in the waning minutes of the final frame.
• Mwai was one of three Gaels to finish with at least 10 points, making it back-to-back 10-point performances for the junior.
• Weekes fouled out, becoming the first Gael this season to reach five fouls in a game. The sophomore finished with eight points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal.
• Niagara scored 50 of its 81 points in the second half, scoring 30 in the fourth quarter on 7-9 shooting. 
• The Purple Eagles finished 24-32 from the free throw line. 21 of their free throws came in the fourth quarter.
• As a team, Iona shot 41% from the field. The Gaels were 2-0 this season in games where they shot over 40% from the floor. On the other side, Niagara finished 26-52 (50%), the highest shooting percentage for an Iona opponent this season.
• Niagara led wire-to-wire and owned a 19-point lead, the largest of the game, with just under three minutes to play.
• Both teams committed 20 turnovers. Iona has forced at least 20 turnovers in seven of nine contests this year.

AROUND THE MAAC

• Fairfield topped Rider 70-59, remaining undefeated in league play.
• Manhattan hosts Saint Peter's later tonight. The Jaspers defeated the Peacocks 71-46 on Friday night.

UP NEXT

Iona will return home to host Canisius on January 8 and 9. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on both days at the Hynes Center.

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