Box Score NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.- The Saint Peter's women's basketball team was defeated by Iona, 66-54, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action on Sunday.
Kaydine Bent (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) finished with a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds. Antonia Smith (Bronx, N.Y./Dwight School) recorded 11 points and three assists.
Iona opened up the game with a 3-pointer from Aleesha Powell to give the Gaels a 3-0 advantage. Saint Peter's answered with a field goal from Neechelle Ingram (Pocono Summit, Pa./Pocono Mountain East). Iona countered with a jumper from Damika Martinez to extend its lead. The Peacocks responded with consecutive baskets to take a 6-5 lead.
The Gaels answered with a 10-1 run, capped off by back-to-back baskets from Aaliyah Robinson to take a 15-7 advantage. Saint Peter's responded with four consecutive points, capped off by a basket from Bridget Whitfield (San Diego, Calif./La Costa Canyon). Iona countered with three straight baskets to extend its lead, 21-11.
Saint Peter's answered with free throws from Bent to cut the deficit to single digits. Iona countered with consecutive baskets to take a 25-13 lead. The Peacocks responded with a field goal from Bent trim the deficit. Iona answered with a pair of baskets to extend its lead. Following a 3-pointer from Aleesha Powell, Bent hit another field goal to cut the lead. Iona countered with four straight points from Martinez to extend its lead. Saint Peter's answered with a layup from Hala Mostafa (Cairo, Egypt/Modern Narmer Language School) with seven seconds left. Iona took a 37-21 lead into halftime.
The Peacocks opened up the second half with a layup from Aziza May (South Euclid, Ohio/Charles F. Brush). Iona countered with five straight points to extend the Gaels lead. Saint Peter's responded with back-to-back baskets. The Gaels answered with a 3-point play Martinez to take a 45-27 lead. Saint Peter's countered with a layup from Smith trim the Iona lead.
Following a media timeout, Joy Adams knocked down a field goal to give Iona a 47-29 lead. Saint Peter's answered with a traditional 3-point play from Bent to cut the deficit. Following a Saint Peter's foul, Adams knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Gaels a 50-32 advantage. The Peacocks responded with three straight baskets, fueled by back-to-back field goals from Smith to cut the deficit.
Off an Iona timeout, the Gaels hit a jumper to extend its lead. Saint Peter's answered with a layup from May to trim the deficit. The Gaels countered with a basket from Martinez to take a 54-40 lead. Saint Peter's countered with another basket from Smith.
Following a media timeout, Iona responded with a basket from Adams to take a 56-42 lead. Saint Peter's answered with a jumper from Bent. The Gaels countered with another basket from Adams to extend its lead. The Peacocks answered with a shot from Whitfield before Martinez drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to give Iona a 64-46 lead.
Following an Iona foul, Bent hit one of two from the line to cut the Iona lead. The Gaels responded with a basket from Aurelia Commock to take a 66-47 lead. Saint Peter's countered with a 3-point play from Ingram. Following a foul from Iona, Smith knocked a free throw to trim the deficit. After an Iona miss, Kylie Garrett (Mt. Orab, Ohio/Western Brown) followed up with a 3-pointer to cut deficit. Iona held on for the 66-54 victory.
Martinez led the way for Iona, scoring 22 points. Adams notched 16 points and 10 rebounds in the Iona victory.
With the loss, Saint Peter's falls to 3-16 overall and 2-8 in MAAC play. Iona improves to 17-2 overall and 10-0 in conference play.
Saint Peter's returns to action Jan. 30, when they welcome Monmouth University to the Yanitelli Center.
