Jan. 6, 2009
Box Score
Press Conference
Highlights
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The #25 Marist women's basketball team shot 55.6% from the floor on its way to an 81-58 win over Iona at the McCann Center on Tuesday night. The win is the Red Foxes' tenth in a row and 18th in a row over the Gaels. Junior forward Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) led all players with 26 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.
Fitz was 11-of-15 from the field and also had a career-high six assists. Lynzee Johnson (Bellbrook, Ohio) made a career-high four three-pointers on her way to 14 points off the bench. Sophomore guard Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg, Ohio) scored 13 points and had a career-high seven assists. Freshman forward Brandy Gang (Hartville, Ohio) scored 11 points for the second straight game.
Marist (13-1, 4-0 MAAC) jumped on the Gaels from the tipoff, taking a 12-0 lead 3:37 into the game. A Fitz three-point play started the game as the Red Foxes also got an Allenspach three and a Maria Laterza (Brooklyn, N.Y.) layup during the opening run. The Red Foxes grew the lead to 14, 16-2, with 14:14 to go in the half with a Gang jumper. Behind 21-7, Iona got a three-pointer from Thazina Cook and a pair of Marissa Flagg free throws to get within nine, 21-12, with 9:28 to go in the half. Marist responded with a 9-3 run capped by a Fitz basket to go ahead 30-15 with 5:43 to go. The Red Foxes capped the half with a Johnson three with four seconds remaining to take a 38-24 lead into the locker room.
Iona (9-5, 2-2 MAAC) cut Marist's lead to 11 early in the second half, as Kristina Ford knocked down a three to make the score 42-31 with 17:20 left in the game. The Red Foxes quickly got their advantage back up to 16 with two Allenspach free throws and a Johnson triple, making the score 47-31. After a Naeemah Ricketts free throw made the score 50-39 with 12:49 to go, Marist went on a 10-0 run sparked by an Allenspach three-pointer to take a 60-39 lead with 10:38 to go. Iona only got as close as 12 the rest of way as a Kristine Best (Commack, N.Y.) three-pointer gave the Red Foxes their largest lead, 81-56, with 20 seconds left.
The Red Foxes shot over 50% in each half, including a scorching 58.3% in the second half. Marist was 11-of-22 from beyond the arc and a perfect 10-for-10 at the free throw line. Iona shot 32.8% from the field. The Red Foxes also dominated the paint, scoring 30 points in the lane and outrebounded the Gaels 43-25. Marist assisted on 25 of 30 made field goals, but also had 24 turnovers.
Marist will end its brief two-game homestand on Friday, January 9 as the Red Foxes host the Niagara Purple Eagles at the McCann Center at 7:30 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets to all of these at GoRedFoxes.com, or by stopping by the Marist Ticket Office located in the McCann Center. For more information, call the Marist Ticket Office at (845) 575-3553.
