POUGHKEEPSIE, NY. – Junior Morgan Lee scored a game-high 19 points to lead Marist women's basketball, but it wasn't enough as the Red Foxes came up short against MAAC foe Iona, 69-67, Thursday evening inside McCann Arena.

Along with Lee's 19 points, Lexie Tarul added 15 points and Ciara Croker notched 12 of her own.

With the loss, Marist fell to 7-6 on the season and 2-1 in the MAAC, while Iona improved to 5-8 on the campaign and 3-0 in conference play.
 

FIRST QUARTER

The Gaels got off to a hot start, knocking down their first three long-range attempts to jump out to an 11-4 advantage in the early minutes. Iona knocked down six three-pointers in the frame, as the Gaels carried a 22-17 lead into the second quarter.
 

SECOND QUARTER

After falling behind 26-19, the Red Foxes responded with a 12-4 run capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Lexie Tarul and Morgan Lee to give Marist a 31-30 lead into the media timeout. The two sides were even at 7-7 the rest of the way in the half as Marist took a 38-38 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
 

THIRD QUARTER

After falling behind 39-38, the Red Foxes responded with a 9-2 run, sparked by two threes from Lee and capped by a Jackie Piddock finish at the cup to force an Iona timeout with Marist leading 47-41.
After Marist pushed the lead to 52-44, the Gaels responded with a 9-2 run to cut the Marist lead to 54-53 entering the fourth.
 

FOURTH QUARTER

After falling behind 55-54, the Red Foxes responded with a swift 9-4 run, led by four points from Tarul to take a 63-59 lead.
Iona responded with a 7-2 run to take a 66-65 lead with 17 seconds left. However, Croker scored on a backdoor cut with nine seconds left to put the Red Foxes ahead for 67-66.
 
After Iona drew a foul and knocked down both free throws, Marist had a chance for the win with just under seven seconds left. However, the Red Foxes missed their opportunity and came up short against the Gaels, 69-67.
 

STATS

• Morgan Lee scored a game-high 19 points and added eight rebounds and three assists in the loss
• Lexie Tarul contributed 15 points and tallied a career-high five assists
• Tarul knocked down three shots from deep, marking the eighth time she's done so in a game this season
• Ciara Croker tallied 12 points and three rebounds

NEXT TIME OUT

• Marist will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 4, when the Red Foxes head to Hamden, Connecticut for a MAAC matchup with rivals
• Quinnipiac Tip-off inside M&T Bank Arena is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

  ---

  To stay updated with all Marist women's basketball news, follow the program on Twitter/Instagram @MaristWBB or visit goredfoxes.com/sports/womens-basketball.

Read Full Article