Box Score

The Fairfield University women's basketball team dropped a 58-55 decision to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Iona College in a noon matinee in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Fairfield opened the second half with a 10-2 run to take a 35-30 advantage, but nearly five minute drought enabled Iona to retake the lead 37-35with 11:34 to play.  The teams would battle back and forth for the rest of the game, with neither team taking more than a four point advantage the remainder of the game.

Anda Ivkovic scooped home a lay-up with 96 seconds to play to put the Gaels ahead 55-53.  After an offensive rebound by the Stags, Desiree Pina put home an inbound pass with 58 seconds to play to tie the score at 55-55.  Iona turned the ball over with 44 seconds to play, but the Stags shot with 19 seconds remaining fell short.  Marissa Flagg hit the front end of a one-and-one with 5.4 seconds to play, and Thazina Cook hit both after getting an offensive rebound on the miss, to make the score 58-55.  Fairfield's ensuing full court pass on the inbound was deflected away for the final tally.

Baendu Lowenthal led all scorers with 15 points, including her second career three-pointer, and was 7-12 from the floor overall.  She also had five rebounds, three steals and three assists.  Lauren Groom was also in double figures for the Stags, with 10 points, hitting 5-8 from the floor.  The Stags received game-high nine rebounds from Megan Caksin, who added four points and two assists in the contest. 

Iona was led by the 14 points of Cook, who was 5-13 from the floor.  Ivkovic finished with 11 points and a tema-best seven rebounds, and Kristina Ford had 10 points to round out the Gaels in double figures.

The Stags shot 45.1 percent from the floor for the game, hitting 23-51, with a 2-9 effort from behind the arc.  Fairfield was 7-8 at the free throw line.  Iona shot 38.9 percent, 21-54, from the floor, hitting 8-17 from behind the arc and 8-11 at the stripe.

Fairfield out rebounded Iona 32-31 for the game, but were at a 13-10 disadvantage on the offensive glass.    The Stags held a 24-16 advantage in points in the paint and a 16-9 edge in points off of turnover.  Fairfield had 18 turnovers, with 11 assists, while the Gaels had 19 turnovers and 13 assists.

The Stags continue their four-game road trip on Friday, traveling to Canisius for a 7 p.m. contest in Buffalo, N.Y.