Feb. 5, 2010
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - In the McCann Center's first-ever pre-sale sell-out, the Marist women's basketball team defeated the Iona Gaels 68-58. It was also the Red Foxes' third consecutive "Pack the House" sell-out. With the win, Marist takes over sole possession of first place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Rachele Fitz (Seven Hills, Ohio) led Marist with 23 points and seven rebounds.
Fitz made 10-of-16 shots from the field and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Erica Allenspach (Miamisburg, Ohio) contributed with 15 points, adding a game-high six assists. Kristine Best (Commack, N.Y.) finished with 11 points, all in the first half, and made 3-of-4 three-pointers. Marist's win over the Gaels is it's 21st in a row.
After Allenspach opened the game with a three-pointer, Iona (13-9, 9-2 MAAC) went on a 7-0 run capped by an Anna McLean layup at the 16:17 mark. Marist (18-5, 10-1 MAAC) responded with a 9-0 run, getting baskets from Best, Maria Laterza (Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Fitz to take a 12-7 lead with 12:38 to go in the half. The Gaels cut the lead to two with 11:36 left in the half, as a Milica Paligoric triple made the score 14-12. Marist then went on a 13-3 run over the next 5:20, with Best's second three-pointer gave the Red Foxes a 25-12 lead.
Marist stretched its first-half lead to as large as 15 twice, as a Katheryn Lyons (Kernersville, N.C.) three with 27 seconds left in the half made the score 39-24. The Red Foxes led 39-27 at the half, turning 13 Iona turnovers into 17 points. Marist held the Gaels to 27.6% from the field, while shooting 46.9% themselves.
Marist and Iona traded baskets to start the half, with the Red Foxes taking a 41-32 lead. With 14:21 to play, Fitz scored the next seven Marist points. Her three point play with 12:14 to go gave the Red Foxes a 48-32 lead, their largest lead of the night. Iona would not go away without a fight. The Gaels answered Marist's run with a 10-2 run of their own over the next 2:29, as a Kristina Ford triple made the score 50-42 with 9:30 left. The Red Foxes had one last big run in them, going on a 9-1 spurt over the next 4:14. Corielle Yarde (Leesport, Pa.) assisted on an Allenspach layup at the 5:16 mark to put Marist ahead 59-44. Iona would only get as close as eight points the rest of the way.
Marist shot 43.3% from the field for the game and also shot 42.1% from beyond the arc. Iona only shot 30.2% from the field and 27.3% from three. The Gaels also had 17 turnovers, while Marist only turned the ball over 10 times. Anda Ivkovic led Iona with 16 points, while Diana Hubbard had 10 points off the bench.
Marist will return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 9 as it takes on Fairfield in a MAAC contest at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in Bridgeport, Conn.
