Feb. 1, 2009
Box Score
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The Marist women's basketball team held Iona to under 30% from the field on Sunday afternoon, winning its 19th straight game over the Gaels 69-60 at the Hynes Athletic Center on Sunday afternoon. Junior forward Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) led all players with 26 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, seven of which were on the offensive glass. Fitz is now the first Marist women's basketball player to score over 1,600 points in a career.
Julianne Viani (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg, Ohio) each scored 10 points. Allenspach also had a team-high five assists. Lynzee Johnson (Bellbrook, Ohio) had nine points and six rebounds off the bench. Brandy Gang (Hartville, Ohio) added seven points and a career-high nine rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench.
The two teams traded baskets early, playing to a 5-5 tie. Anda Ivkovic gave Iona an 8-5 lead at the 14:18 mark with a put-back layup. The Gaels extended their lead to 13-7 on a Naeemah Ricketts fast-break layup with 12:37 to go in the half. The Red Foxes battled back and got baskets from Allenspach, Johnson, and a Viani three-pointer to get within one, 15-14, with 10:37 left in the first. Marist took its first lead of the game at the 10:17 mark of the first half on a Corielle Yarde (Leesport, Pa.) layup, making the score 16-15. Elise Caron followed that bucket with a layup of her own and two Fitz free throws gave Marist a 20-15 lead with 9:14 to go in the half.
Iona (13-10, 6-6 MAAC) responded with a quick 6-0 run highlighted by a Suzi Fregosi three to take a 21-20 lead. Marist took the lead back on a pair of Johnson free throws and a Fitz three-point play to go ahead 25-21 with 6:52 to go in the half. The Red Foxes extended the lead to five on a Yarde three-pointer, going ahead 30-25. The Gaels answered with another five point run as a Milica Paligoric three-point play tied the game at 30-30 with 2:34 to go. The Red Foxes however took over the last segment of play, going on a 12-4 run capped by a Gang driving layup, going ahead 42-34 at halftime.
Marist (20-2, 11-1 MAAC) kept the momentum going in the second half as Viani made a three-pointer and a driving layup to give the Red Foxes a 47-34 lead early in the second. The Red Foxes held Iona without a field goal for a 5:13 stretch in the second half, during which Allenspach hit back-to-back threes to put Marist ahead 58-46 with 7:52 to go. After a Fitz jumper put the Red Foxes ahead 60-46 with 7:07 left in the game, the Gaels made one last run. Iona went on a 14-5 run over the next 5:22 to get within five, 65-60, with 1:45 to go but that would be as close as they would get.
The Red Foxes shot 40.7% from the field, making 51.9% of their shots in the first half. Marist also outrebounded Iona 48-42. The Gaels forced 19 Marist turnovers and had only 15 of their own. Thazina Cook led Iona with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Anda Ivkovic added 12 points. The win gives Marist's its sixth-straight 20-win season.
Marist will attempt to sell out the McCann Center for the second straight season on Friday, February 6 as the Red Foxes host Canisius for Pack The House Night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets to the game by logging on to GoRedFoxes.com, or at the McCann Center Ticket Office. For more information, please contact the Marist Ticket office at (845) 575-3553.
