The Saint Peter's College women's basketball team were defeated, 74-49, by the Iona College Gaels in their last regular season game of the year. The Peahens managed to cut a fourteen-point second half deficit to one, but the Gaels rallied back with a 12-3 run to regain a double-digit advantage. Jynae Judson and Kristal Edwards both finished with 14 points to lead the Peahens in the loss. Saint Peter's concludes the 2011-12 regular season schedule with a 4-25, 4-15 MAAC record, while Iona improves to 12-17, 8-10 MAAC.
The Peahens started off the first frame leading 5-2, with all five points scored by Kristal Edwards. Iona managed to even the score at 5-5, following a trey by Milicia Paligoric at 17:14, but Saint Peter's created separation at 11-7 after an Edwards' layup. The junior forward from Jersey City, NJ accounted for 9 of Saint Peter's first 11 points.
The Gaels soon tied the score at 13-13, by way of a jumper from Damika Martinez at 11:07. A three-ball by Jynae Judson gave the Peahens a three-point cushion, until Tomica Bacic responded with a trey for the hosts on the other end. Another Saint Peter's three pointer, this time by Aminah Davis, recaptured the lead for SPC (19-16).
Iona led momentarily at 20-21 after a conventional three-point play by Aleesha Powell, until a baseline jumper from Kaydine Bent established a one-point lead for Saint Peter's.
The Gaels proceeded to go on a 9-1 run, fueled by six consecutive points by Martinez, to go in front 29-22, the largest lead for either team up until that point. Saint Peter's managed to score two more points in the frame with a free-throw by Lovisa Hagberg and Quiana Porter each, but Martinez again had the answer for Iona. The freshman guard would sink a trey with 41 seconds remaining and then nail a jumper at the buzzer, to send the Peahens into the half-time break trailing 34-24.
Saint Peter's was outshot 36.1% to 31.0% in the frame, and went 3-8 (37.5%) beyond the arc to Iona's 4-11 (36.4%). The Peahens were also out-rebounded by a 34-24 margin.
Kristal Edwards led SPC with 10 first half points, nine of which she scored in the first eight minutes. Damika Martinez came off the bench for Iona to provide the hosts with 13 points, going a perfect 6-6 from the field in just 11 minutes of action.
The Peahens forged a come-back in the second frame outscoring the hosts 18-5 to come within one point (43-42) after trailing by as many as fourteen. The Gaels would respond with a 12-3 run however, to regain separation at 55-45 in the eighth minute.
Iona concluded the half out-scoring Saint Peter's 19-4 to secure the twenty-five point victory. DeWolfe's squad went 0-11 from the floor in the final 8:02, and recorded their four points on free-throws from Edwards and Judson.
Jynae Judson scored 10 of her 14 points in the second half, while Edwards recorded 10 of her 14 in the first and added 4 steals. Quiana Porter pulled down a team-high 12 boards and contributed 5 points. Kaydine Bent finished with 8 points for SPC.
The Gaels were led by Kristina Ford's double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds. Damika Martinez finished with 15 points on 7-11 shooting.
Overall, Saint Peter's shot 28.1% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range, while the Gaels shot 39% and 37.5% respectively. Iona grabbed 51 rebounds to SPC's 33, and committed 15 turnovers to the Peahen's 14.
The Peahens begin postseason play on Thursday, March 1st, as they match up against the Canisius Golden Griffins. Tipoff is schedule for 2pm.
