LOUDONVILLE, NY— The Iona University women's basketball team dropped a 77-56 decision to Siena in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at UHY Center on Saturday afternoon.
 
Graduate student Natalia Otkhmezuri led the Gaels with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and three three-pointers. Junior Judith Gomez chipped in 10 points, a team-high five rebounds and team-high four assists in the loss.

THE RUNDOWN

The Gaels opened the game with a pair of three pointers from graduate student Sierra DeAngelo and Otkhmezuri to take a 6-4 lead two minutes into the game. In total, the opening frame saw seven lead changes and two tie scores. As the teams traded time with the lead, Iona grabbed a 13-12 lead on a spot up jumper from sophomore Petra Oborilova with just over a minute remaining. Siena utilized a triple with three seconds left to take a 15-13 lead.
 
Momentum continued in the Saints favor with a 10-4 stretch over the first 4:45 of the second period to take a 25-17 lead. The Gaels chipped into the deficit on a triple from Otkhmezuri and driving layup by junior Ella Fajardo to make it a three-point game with three minutes left in the half. Siena remained in control outscoring Iona, 8-5 in the closing stretch to take a 33-27 lead into halftime.
 
Iona stayed within six points as the third period began with baskets from Gomez and Oborilova in the first few minutes. Siena seized control of the game with a 15-5 stretch in the final 7:15 of the third quarter to take a 53-37 lead. The Saints continued to hold serve in the final quarter, outscoring the Gaels, 24-19 to put the final margin at 77-56.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Otkhmezuri posted double figures for the ninth time this season, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting and three made three pointers.
• Gomez finished in double digits for the third straight game and the eighth time this season. She recorded 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting and added a team-high five rebouds and four assists.
• DeAngelo recorded seven points, two rebounds and a career-high three steals.

THE OPPONENT

• Siena had four scorers post double figures led by a game-high 20 points from Teresa Seppala. She added six rebounds and four assists.
• Anjah Brown posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. On the defensive end she recorded three steals and three blocks on the defensive end.
• Ciany Conyers added 13 points and London Gamble contributed 10 points.

TEAM STATS

• Siena shot 49.2% from the floor and 47.1% from distance. Iona shot 38.9% for the game and 40.9% from downtown.
• The Saints held a 34-32 advantage in the rebounding battle.
• The Gaels committed 24 turnovers while Siena turned the ball over 17 times.

AROUND THE MAAC

• Manhattan earned a sweep in Western New York defeating Canisius, 58-55 at the Koessler Center.
• Niagara picked up an 86-78 overtime victory over Quinnipiac at home.
• Mount St. Mary's earned its second conference win on Saturday, defeating Rider 60-53 at Alumni Gymnasium.
• Fairfield picked up its 13th straight victory with a 60-43 decision at Marist. 

UP NEXT

The Gaels are back at the Hynes Athletic Center next weekend for a two-game homestand to close out the month of January. Iona will host Canisius on Thursday, January 25 for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.