NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A balanced offensive attack, and overwhelming third quarter performance helped carry the Iona College women’s basketball program to a 73-52 win over Niagara. All five Gaels starters scored double-digit figures, anchored by a game-high 15 points via junior Marina Lizarazu and a season-high 12 points from senior Karynda DuPree.
Senior Joy Adams scored 14 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for her thirteenth double-double of the 2015-16 season. Sophomore Philecia Gilmore and senior Aaliyah Robinson each score 10 points, hitting two three-point field goals each.
Last time Iona and Niagara matched up, the Maroon & Gold jumped out to a 21-1 lead in the opening quarter, setting the scene for their most dominant win of the year. This time around, the Purple Eagles were able to avoid the early onslaught, due in large part to the play of Jamie Sherburne.
The sophomore didn’t play against Iona in New Rochelle, NY, but she scored 10 points and had a team-high six assists to aid the Purple Eagles offense.
Iona controlled the tempo for the majority of the first half, however Niagara made a large push at the end of the second half. The Purple Eagles cut the Maroon & Gold lead to three points with 1:05 to go before the break, but a pair of tough-nosed buckets from Lizarazu pushed Iona to a 33-28 halftime lead.
The third quarter proved to be the deciding period; Iona outscored Niagara 23-10 in the frame, highlighted by a 14-3 run spanning over a five minute stretch. Robinson scored seven straight points that build up the Gaels momentum that’d carry to the conclusion of the game.
Iona shot 45.5% from the floor, hitting at a 30% clip from beyond the arc. Niagara shot 35.3%, and hit four of 13 from the three-point line.
The boards was a huge advantage for the Maroon & Gold; it was a plus-thirteen advantage for Iona, and 18 offensive rebounds led to 21 second chance points. Eight of Adams’ 13 rebounds were of the offensive variety. Lizarazu tied a career high with six boards.
The Gaels assisted on 16 of their 30 field goals. Adams, Gilmore and Lizarazu all had four assists.
Sophomore Kaylee Stroemple scored a team-high 15 points for Niagara, hitting on six-of-seven shots. Senior Sam Lapszynski grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.
Iona’s next contest will be this Monday, Feb. 1 at Canisius College. The Gaels and Golden Griffs will tip off at 7 PM; the game will be broadcasted live on ESPN3.