TUCSON, AZ – The Iona University women's basketball team hit the road for the first time this season on Sunday afternoon, falling to Arizona, 74-61, at the McKale Center.
Junior
Anyla Herbert led the Maroon & Gold with a game-high and season-high 20 points to go along with seven rebounds and three steals. Senior
Mya Zaccagnini registered a season-high 11 points, while junior
Chloe Vasquez chipped in 10 points. Sophomore
Johanna Flores added nine points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.
THE RUNDOWN
The Wildcats jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening 40 seconds before Vasquez put Iona on the board with a 3-pointer. The Gaels responded by outscoring Arizona, 14-10, over the next seven minutes as a triple from sophomore
Adrianna Gonzalez cut the deficit to one, 15-14, with 2:45 remaining. Scoring slowed down the stretch as the Wildcats registered the lone basket in the final two minutes at the buzzer to take a 17-14 lead.
Arizona extended its advantage with the first two baskets of the second quarter. Zaccagnini snapped Iona's scoring drought with a basket at the 6:35 mark. The Wildcats maintained control from there, shooting 7-of-8 from the field during a 19-13 closing stretch to take a 40-27 lead into halftime.
Out of the intermission, Arizona opened the third quarter on a 13-4 run to build its largest lead of the game, 53-31, with 3:04 remaining. The Gaels responded with an 11-4 run, sparked by a reverse layup from Vasquez. Herbert contributed five points during the closing stretch to trim the deficit to 57-42 heading into the final frame.
Iona outscored Arizona, 19-17, in the fourth quarter behind 13 points from Herbert. The Wildcats maintained their advantage down the stretch to secure the 74-61 nonconference victory.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Herbert finished with a game-high and season-high 20 points on five made field goals and eight free throws. She grabbed seven rebounds for the second straight game and recorded a season-high three steals.
- Zaccagnini reached double figures for the first time this season, finishing with 11 points on four made field goals and two free throws.
- Vasquez registered her third straight game in double figures with 10 points against the Wildcats.
- Flores tied her season high with nine points to go along with six rebounds, a career-high five assists and two steals.
THE OPPONENT
- Ten different Wildcats scored in the afternoon, led by Breanna Williams with a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds.
- Sumayah Sugapong finished with 11 points and a team-high three assists.
- Jasleen Green added 11 points for Arizona.
TEAM STATS
- Arizona shot 52.1% from the field compared to 35.1% for Iona.
- Both teams connected on five 3-pointers, with the Wildcats shooting 41.7% from beyond the arc compared to 26.3% for the Gaels.
- Arizona held a 36-27 advantage on the glass.
- Iona forced 17 turnovers, leading to 11 points, while Arizona scored 14 points off 15 Gaels turnovers.
UP NEXT
Iona concludes its first road trip of the season with a visit to No. 15 TCU on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
