LEWISBURG, PA - The Iona University women's basketball team fell to Bucknell, 55-52, on Tuesday morning at the Sojka Pavilion. The Bison edged the Gaels in a contest that featured 13 lead changes and seven ties.
THE RUNDOWN
The back-and-forth affair was tightly contested throughout; five points was the largest lead by either side and the fourth quarter featured five lead changes. Ultimately, Bucknell's defense down the stretch proved to be the difference, with the key moment being the final four-plus minutes of the contest where Iona scored just two points and saw a 50-49 lead turn into an eventual 55-52 loss.
Back-to-back baskets by Bucknell's Emma Shaffer exactly one minute apart in the fourth quarter gave the Bison a 53-50 cushion. Ketsia Athias came through in the clutch for Iona, scoring inside to make it a one-point game again with 96 seconds remaining. Athias' field goal with 1:36 left on the clock was the final bucket for either team. Bucknell made one-of-two free throws on two separate occasions down the stretch in the final minute, allowing Iona chances to tie or take the lead.
The Maroon & Gold had one chance prior to the free throws, but Kate Mager's three-pointer missed with 22 ticks left and found the hands of Remi Sisselman. After Shaffer converted the front end of her two free throws, Iona corralled the rebound and called timeout. After an off-ball foul, the ball eventually found Athias after the inbound and her hook shot came off the iron. Now trailing by three points after Cecilia Collins made the second of her two free throws, the Gaels were out of timeouts with five seconds and change to race down the court. Juana Camilion made her way above half court and launched a three that missed off to the left and ended the game.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
- Athias led all Iona scorers for the second-straight contest, posting 15 points in the loss.
- She also finished with team highs in rebounds (8) and assists. Athias also accounted for Iona's two blocked shots.
- Camilion was a perfect two-of-two from the charity stripe and played a game-high 38-plus minutes, registering a pair of steals.
- Natalia Otkhmezuri connected on a team-high two three-pointers.
TEAM STATS
- Iona led for 21:11 of a possible 40 minutes. Bucknell held an advantage in the scoring column for 11:52.
- Iona out-rebounded Bucknell, 31-29, marking the second straight game that the Gaels held an edge in total rebounds.
- The Bison finished with 15 assists, compared to 13 for the Maroon & Gold, the first time this season that an opponent finished with more assists than Iona.
- Iona dropped a fourth consectuive contest to Bucknell, falling to 5-6 in the overall series history. The Gaels' last win at Sojka Pavilion came back on December 8, 2010.
THE OPPONENT
- Sisselman finished with a game-high 16 points, knocking down three from beyond the arc and five-of-nine overall. Shaffer chipped in 13 and Collins added 10.
- Shaffer grabbed eight rebounds and Collins dished out a game-high six assists to lead the Bison over the Gaels.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Canisius visits Hamilton, New York to take on Colgate at 2:00 p.m.
- Siena travels to the Steel City to face Duquesne at 6:00 p.m.
- Niagara and Northwestern battle in the Windy City at 6:00 p.m.
UP NEXT
Iona enjoys an eight-day layoff between contests, returning on Wednesday, November 30 to host Hofstra. The Gaels and the Pride are slated to tip-off at 7:00 p.m. at the Hynes Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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