BUFFALO, NY - The Iona College women's basketball team lost to Canisius, 71-62, on Saturday afternoon at the Koessler Athletic Center.
Juana Camilion's career-best 30 points were not enough to secure a win for the Gaels in the regular-season finale. Iona will head into the 2022 MAAC Championship as the No. 8 seed.
The Griffs opened the action with a quick seven points, maintaining a two-possession lead for the entirety of the opening stanza in Buffalo. Dani Haskell made a pair of triples in the quarter and Canisius shot 70 percent (7-10) overall in the quarter, including 3-4 from downtown. The Gaels trailed 22-11 entering the second quarter and Camilion was responsible for all but two of Iona's 11 points.
Iona slowed Canisius down in the second quarter, limiting the Griffs to three makes on 12 attempts. Camilion continued her excellent first-half play, drawing charges on the defensive end and finishing the half with 13 points. After featuring just two scorers in the opening 10 minutes of action, Iona received scoring contributions from four different players in the second period. Iona headed into the halftime break trailing 32-23.
It was a huge third quarter for Iona, completely turning the tide and outsourcing Canisius 20-9 to turn a nine-point halftime deficit into a two-point lead heading into the final frame. Camilion scored 11 points in the third quarter, playing a pivotal role in the Gaels grabbing the lead for the first time in the contest. The Maroon & Gold had all the momentum, though a banked in buzzer-beater three by Shaunae Brown gave the Griffs a boost of confidence and made it a one-possession game, 43-41, going into the fourth quarter.
The Gaels held off Canisius for the first two minutes of the period, but a three pointer by Erika Joseph pushed the Griffs back in front, 49-48, with 7:04 to play in regulation. The two sides proceeded to trade baskets back and forth, seeing the lead exchange hands four times in the next 90 seconds. Shyan Mwai made a basket inside to even the score at 53 just before the midway point of the fourth quarter, but a layup by Haskell gave Canisius the lead for good with 4:19 remaining in regulation. Athina Lexa scored to make it a two-possession lead for Canisius with less than two minutes to play; Iona could not get back within one possession, eventually falling by a final tally of 71-62.
NOTABLE NUGGETS
- Camilion registered a new career high 30 points and 12 made field goals. It is the third time in her tenure with the Gaels that she has set a new career best in points against the Griffs. Her three best scoring outputs (26, 28 and 30) have all come against Canisius.
- Ketsia Athias pulled down 12 boards, the eighth time this season she has registered at least 10 rebounds. She has grabbed at least nine rebounds in nine straight contests dating back to January 29 against Rider.
- Iona concludes the regular season with 10 overall wins and eight against league opponents, both of which are the program's best marks since the 2016-17 season.
- After allowing 22 points on 70 percent shooting in the first quarter, Iona limited Canisius to 19 points on 23 percent shooting combined in the second and third quarters.
- Iona assisted on just five of its 24 made baskets, a new season low for the Gaels. The Maroon & Gold only offered up nine giveaways, the third time this season they have finished with less than 10 turnovers.
UP NEXT
Iona will face off with the No. 9 seed (either Marist or Rider) at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8 in the Opening Round of the 2022 MAAC Championship. The tournament will be held at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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