NEW ROCHELLE, NY — History was made at Mohegan Sun Arena early Sunday afternoon as senior Joy Adams became the all-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference leader in rebounds. The two-time All-MAAC First Team member pulled down 11 boards, placing her atop the conference’s all-time boarding list with 1,233 rebounds thus far in her Iona College career.
The Maroon & Gold dropped the finale of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge to the University of Southern California, 56- 76. The Gaels were led by Adams who finished with her 19 points to go along with her 11 rebounds; freshman Alexis Lewis came off the bench to supply 11 points, and junior Marina Lizarazu dropped in ten points to go along with four assists.
USC has been a dominant first half team thus far this season, and the same theme trekked its way onto the east coast. The Trojans held a commanding 49 to 29 lead heading into halftime, edging the Gaels by ten points each of the first two quarters. The Trojans committed only two turnovers in the openings two minutes and they combined to assists on 12 of their 19 field goals. The Gaels shot a respectable 43% in the opening half, but the Trojans took advantage of their up style tempo, and as a result they hit on 58% of their shots.
The record-breaking rebound for Adams came at 8:35 in the third quarter. Graduate-student Temi Fagbenle missed a layup for USC, and at the moment Adams pulled down her sixth rebound of the game, and 1,218th of her career, passing the previous top-spot holder, Rosalee Mason of Manhattan
The Trojans led by as many 27 points midway through the third quarter, but despite the largest deficit of the game being in the second half, Iona did put together a much better portion of basketball to close the game. The Gaels improved their defense, holding Southern California to 31% shooting, and bettered their rebounding numbers; Iona managed to outrebounded USC 25-19 during the third and fourth quarter.
Red shirt junior Jordan Adams had 15 points and 10 rebounds for USC; sophomore Kristen Simon and Fagbenle finished with 16 points apiece, and junior Courtney Jaco came off the bench to supply 12.
Iona’s next game will be their first of the conference season. The Gaels travel to Fairfield on Wednesday, Dec. 2, and are set to tip off against the MAAC preseason number one selection at 7 PM.