Box Score JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Iona defeated Saint Peter's 67-65 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) women's basketball contest on Thursday night.
Antonia Smith (Bronx, N.Y. / Dwight School) paced Saint Peter's (3-21, 3-12 MAAC) with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Sajanna Bethea (Levittown, Pa. / Pennsbury) finished with 16 points and eight rebounds while Hala Mostafa (Cairo, Egypt / Modern Narmer Language School) scored 14 points in the losing effort.
Damika Martinez powered Iona (13-10, 10-5 MAAC) with 25 points, while Joy Adams posted 15 points and nine rebounds in the win.
Iona held Saint Peter's scoreless for the final 3:12 of the game to rally back and earn the season-sweep.
Following a pair of free throws from Mostafa to give Saint Peter's a 65-63 lead with 3:12 to go, the Gaels took the lead with a traditional 3-point play from Adams to lead 66-65. Iona extended its lead with 20.6 seconds left following a free throw from Marina Lizarau. Saint Peter's had an open look at the end, but was able to hit the basket.
The Gaels had to rally back in the second half, trailing by double-digits with 13:58 remaining in the game. Trailing 54-43, Iona used a 13-2 run to knot the game at 56 with 8:50 left on the clock. The run was fueled by Martinez, who scored five of the 13 points. Both teams exchanged points throughout, with Saint Peter's holding a 65-63 edge.
Saint Peter's scored a season-high 35 points in the first half. The Peacocks opened up the game on a 7-0 run to take the lead. Saint Peter's held the lead throughout the half, taking a 35-29 lead into halftime.
Alyssa Velles (Franklin, Conn. / Norwich Free Academy) scored 12 points in tonight's contest, while Bridget Whitfield (San Diego, Calif. / La Costa Canyon) chipped in with four points and five rebounds.
Saint Peter's returns to action on Feb. 15 for an hOURglass rivalry matchup against Monmouth. Game time is set for 2 p.m. and will air on ESPN 3
