LEWISTON, NY — The Iona University women's basketball team had its three-game winning streak snapped on Saturday afternoon, falling to second place Niagara, 86-56 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.
Sophomore
Petra Oborilova led the Maroon & Gold with 12 points on four made three-pointers. Graduate student
Sierra DeAngelo added 10 points to go with nine rebounds for the near double-double effort. Graduate student
Natalia Otkhmezuri and sophomore
Noa Givon both chipped in eight points.
THE RUNDOWN
A three by Oborilova gave the Gaels a brief 3-2 advantage early in the first quarter. Niagara responded with an 8-0 run over the next 1:13 to prompt an Iona timeout. A set play out of the break gave Oborilova another triple to start momentum for Iona. From there the scoring was evenly matched with Niagara holding a 14-13 margin for the final 5:18 of the opening quarter for a 24-16 lead. DeAngelo and Givon led the Maroon & Gold with four points each down the stretch.
Niagara opened the quarter with a jumper before Iona went on a 4-0 run on jumpers from DeAngelo and junior
Judith Gomez. The home team quickly called timeout to regroup. Niagara eventually built its lead up to 10 at 32-22 with 5:35 to go in the quarter. Iona responded with an 8-4 over the next 3:53 with junior
Ella Fajardo, DeAngelo, Gomez and Givon all chipping in baskets to bring the score to 36-30 with one minute to go. Both teams would hit two free throws to take a 38-32 Niagara lead into the intermission.
The Purple Eagles created separation with an 13-0 start to the second half. Niagara continued to cruise with a 29-11 scoring margin in the third quarter to take hold of the game. A 19-13 final quarter gave the home team the 86-56 victory.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Oborilova recorded her third straight game in double figures. She has converted three or more triples in each of the last four games.
- DeAngelo finished in double figures for the 17th time this season, finishing the game with 10 points. She added a team-high nine rebounds.
- Givon finished with eight points for the game and a team-high four assists.
- Otkhmezuri chipped in eight points to go with four rebounds.
THE OPPONENT
- Angel Parker posted a game-high 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting including four made three-pointers.
- Aaliyah Parker registered an 11-point, 12 rebound double-double to go with four steals.
- Alyssa Rossignol chipped in 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and seven rebounds.
TEAM STATS
- Niagara out shot Iona, 39.5% to 37.7% for the game.
- The Purple Eagles held a slight edge from distance at 31.8% to the 31.3% from the Gaels.
- Niagara dominated the rebounding battle with a 54-33 advantage on the glass.
- Iona committed 32 turnovers to the 17 by Niagara. The Purple Eagles converted 31 points off Iona turnovers.
AROUND THE MAAC
- Canisius earned a 73-62 win over Rider to split the weekend.
- Fairfield continued its winning streak with a 77-53 victory over Manhattan at Draddy Gymnasium.
- Saint Peter's and Marist are set for an early evening battle at McCann Arena.
- Mount St. Mary's travels to Siena for a 5 p.m. contest at UHY Center.
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to the Hynes Center for the final time this season on Thursday, March 7 for a 7 p.m. contest against Quinnipiac.
