Box Score JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Saint Peter's women's basketball team fell to conference foe Iona College 65-61 on Tuesday.
A second half from the Gaels allowed Iona to get back in the game and ultimately take the lead for the victory.
Kaydine Bent (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) finished with a double-double, netting a career-high 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Bridget Whitfield (San Diego, Calif./La Costa Canyon) finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
In the first half, following an open free throw from Iona, Saint Peter's hit its first three field goals to take a 6-1 lead. Iona responded with a field goal from Joy Adams to cut the deficit to three. The Peacocks countered with a layup from Antonia Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Dwight School). The Gaels answered with a jumper from Christina Rubin before Aziza May answered with a jumper to take a 10-5 advantage. Damika Martinez made a bucket to cut a deficit, but the Peacocks responded with another field goal from Smith. Iona made two straight baskets to tie the game at 12.
Following a Saint Peter's miss, Sabrina Jeridore hit a basket to give the Gaels a 14-12 lead. The Peacocks answered with seven straight points to retake the lead.
Iona responded with a pair of free throws from Adams to cut the deficit to three. Saint Peter's countered with back-to-back field goals to maintain a 23-16 lead. The Gaels answered with a jumper from Martinez and a pair of free throws from Adams to trim the Peacocks lead. Bent hit two free throws to extend the lead. The Gaels made four free throws to cut the deficit to one.
Following a media timeout, Saint Peter's hit three free throws to keep a 28-24 lead. Iona answered with free throws from Adams to cut the deficit to a field goal. The Peacocks responded with back-to-back baskets from Bent to take a 32-26 lead. A pair of free throws from Whitfield gave Saint Peter's a 34-26 lead heading into halftime.
In the first half, Bent finished with 12 points to go along with five rebounds. Smith and May recorded six points each. Adams registered 10 points from Iona, including eight free throws.
In the second half, the Peacocks opened up with a 3-pointer from Whitfield to take 37-26 lead. Iona answered with a 9-0 run, fueled by a 3-ball from Martinez to cut the deficit to one basket. Saint Peter's stopped the run with a layup from Bent to keep a 39-35 advantage. The Gaels responded with two free throws from Martinez to cut the lead. The Peacocks scored two straight baskets to hold a 43-37 lead. Adams hit a field goal to cut the deficit, but Bent would make another bucket. Following free throws from Iona, Saint Peter's then scored four straight points to take a 49-41 lead.
Iona began its comeback, going on a 21-5 run, sparked by its free throw shooting and field goals from Martinez and Adams to take a 62-54 lead.
Saint Peter's answered with a pair of free throws and a late 3-pointer from Hala Mostafa (Cairo, Egypt/Modern Narmer Language School) to cut the deficit to one possession with 27 seconds left. Iona held on however, winning the game 65-61.
Martinez finished with a team-high 24 points, two rebounds and two assists for the Gaels. Adams recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds, including 10 made free throws.
With the loss, Saint Peter's falls to 2-9 overall and 1-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play while Iona improves to 9-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
The Peacocks return to action Jan. 3, when they travel to take on the Purple Eagles of Niagara.
