JERSEY CITY, NJ — Iona College women’s basketball senior guard Damika Martinezscored a game-high 25 points, including 17 in the second half, as the Iona College women’s basketball team came from behind for a 67-65 victory over Saint Peter’s Thursday evening at the Yanitelli Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.
Martinez now sits 22 points shy of the MAAC scoring record with 2,445 career points. She also moved into 70th all-time on the NCAA Division I scoring ledger in the game. Additionally, junior Joy Adams added 15 points and grabbed nine a game-high rebounds for Iona.
The Gaels grabbed their first lead of the contest with 5:09 remaining in the second half, and fought off a game Peacocks squad for their 10th conference win of the season.
Despite shooting 50.0% from the field in the first half, the Gaels committed 13 turnovers and never led during the opening 20 minutes of play. Saint Peter’s scored the game’s first seven points, and led by as many as eight in the opening frame.
The Peacocks grabbed their biggest lead ot the game, 11 points, when a jumper by Bridget Whitfield gave Saint Peter’s a 54-43 advantage with 12:02 remaining in the second half. Iona countered with a 13-2 charge, as back-to-back threes by freshman guard Philecia Gilmore evened the contest at 56 with 8:50 on the clock.
With the Peacocks leading 65-61 with 3:23 left, the Gaels scored the game’s final six points. A three-point play by Adams with 1:32 remaining evened the game at 65, and then gave Iona a one-point advantage. Sophomore guard Marina Lizarazu then ended the scoring with a free throw with 20 ticks remaining.
Saint Peter’s had four chances in the final 10 seconds to even the contest or take the lead, but was unable to find the bottom of the net. The Peacocks had four players in double figures, led by Antonia Smith and Sajanna Bethea, who each scored 16 points.
The Gaels are back in action Sunday, when they host Siena at 2:00 pm at the Hynes Center.