STOCKTON, CA — The Iona College women’s basketball team fell to 1-3 on the year with a 64-49 loss to the University of the Pacific Sunday afternoon at the Alex G. Spanos Center. Senior guard Damika Martinez registered a game-high 21 points, while sophomore guard Marina Lizarazu scored 13 points.
Martinez’s 1,969 career points are seventh most all-time in MAAC history, as she moved ahead of Heather Fiore’s career total of 1,949 in the game. Next on the ledger is former Canisius standout Shauna Geronzin, who scored 2,012 points.
The Gaels struggled from the field, connecting on just 34.6% of their attempts. The Maroon & Gold also shot 8-for-18 from the free throw line.
Iona connected on just one of its first eight shots, as the Tigers jumped out to a 13-2 lead with 15:02 remaining in the opening half. The Gaels answered with the game’s next 15 points, taking a 17-13 lead on junior Cassidee Ranger’s three with 9:54 left in the frame.
A three by freshman Philecia Gilmore put Iona ahead 20-15 with 8:13 remaining in the first, before the Tigers answered with a 10-0 run to grab a five point cushion. The Gaels would never regain the lead after that as Pacific closed the half scoring eight of the final 11 points. A pair of free throws by Kendall Kenyon gave the Tigers a 33-23 lead at halftime.
Pacific opened up a 14 point lead, 37-23, early in the second half but Iona would put together a comeback. A jumper by Martinez with 10:37 remaining cut the deficit to eight, 42-34. The Tigers answered with a 9-2 run, taking a 51-36 advantage on a jumper by Kristina Johnson with 6:07 remaining. Pacific then extended its lead to a game high 16 on a pair of free throws by Madison Parrish with 3:58 left.
The Gaels committed 21 turnovers in the game, which the Tigers turned into 22 points. Kenyon and Erin Butler led Pacific with 16 points, while Parrish registered 15 points.
Iona is back in action Wednesday evening when it travels to Kansas for a 9:00 pm tip.