FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Iona University women's basketball team fell to league leading Fairfield, 72-44 on Thursday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at Leo D. Mahoney Arena.  
 
The Gaels drop to 6-7 overall and 1-3 in league play while Fairfield moves to 13-1 overall and 5-0 in the MAAC. Graduate student Sierra DeAngelo led Iona with 10 points and five rebounds on the night. Junior Ella Fajardo added seven points and four rebounds.

THE RUNDOWN

The Stags kicked off the game with the first two baskets. Fajardo picked up the Gaels first points on a coast-to-coast basket to bring the score to 5-2. The Stags created separation with an 8-1 run to take a 13-3 lead with 2:11 left in the frame. Iona closed the quarter with a 5-3 margin on an old fashioned three-point play from DeAngelo and two free throws from freshman Mya Zaccagnini to put the score at 16-8 after one period of play.
 
Fairfield pulled ahead in the second quarter, outscoring Iona 18-9 in the period to take a 34-17 lead into the intermission. Fairfield shot 50% in the period while Iona shot 30% from the floor. The third period saw both teams trade baskets more consistently with Fairfield remaining in control with a 17-15 scoring margin in the quarter to push the score to 51-32. Iona had contributions from six different scorers in the third with junior Judith Gomez and sophomore Noa Givon leading with four points each. Fairfield continued the strong shooting night in the final quarter to come away with the 72-44 win.

IONA PERFORMERS

• DeAngelo posted double figures for the eighth time this season, finishing with 10 points with a 6-of-8 mark from the free throw line. She added a team-high five rebounds.
• Fajardo tallied  seven points and four rebounds.
• Zaccagnini and fellow first-year Zoey Ward both added six points apiece.
• Sophomore Amaya B. Evans picked up her first points of the season going 4-of-4 at the foul line.

THE OPPONENT

• Izabella Nicoletti-Leite posted a double-double with 18 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field and 10 assists for the Stags.
• Reigning MAAC Player and Rookie of the Week, Meghan Andersen added 10 points.
• Kaety L'Amoreaux recorded eight points, a game-high seven rebounds and four assists. 

TEAM STATS

• Fairfield shot 47.4% from the field and shot 46.4% from distance with 13 made threes.
• Iona was held to 28.6% from the floor and without a three-pointer for the first time since March 3, 2022.
• Both teams were even on the glass with 31 rebounds each.
• The Stags committed 15 turnovers on the night while Iona had 19 turnovers.
• Iona went 20-of-26 from the free throw line, reaching the 20 free throw mark for the first time since January 28, 2023.

AROUND THE MAAC

• Siena held its annual Kids Day this afternoon, defeating Niagara 66-64.
• Marist picked up its first league win Thursday night with a 65-55 victory over Rider.
• Mount St. Mary's also earned its first MAAC win in a 56-50 victory over Quinnipiac at Knott Arena.
• Canisius improved to 4-1 in league play with a 59-54 road win at Saint Peter's.

UP NEXT

The Gaels conclude the two-game swing in Connecticut on Saturday, January 13 at Quinnipiac. The Gaels and Bobcats tip-off at 4:00 p.m. at M&T Bank Arena.