Recap:
NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Saint Peter's College women's basketball team was defeated by Iona 75-55. The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Peahens and was their first loss in the month of February.
Sakara House led Saint Peter's with 19 points, matching the high-scoring effort of Iona's Thazina Cook. Jynae Judson added 14 for the Peahens. Both teams will face each other in the quarterfinal matchup at the 2009 Citizens Bank MAAC Basketball Championships next Friday, March 6th. Saint Peter's (13-14, 10-8 MAAC) has clinched the #4 seed, and Iona (16-13, 10-8 MAAC) has clinched the #5 seed in the tournament.
Iona took control of the game from the opening tip, going on a 13-0 run to start the game. House finally got the Peahens on the scoreboard after four minutes. Saint Peter's finished the half 10-for-25 from the floor, but managed only one free throw and zero three-pointers. The Peahens also turned the ball over 12 times, which the Gaels converted into 16 points and a 43-21 halftime lead.
Iona senior guard Naeemah Ricketts got the scoring started in the second half with a three-pointer that increased the Gaels lead to 25. The Gaels led 60-31 with 13 minutes left - their largest lead of the game. Despite Riddick and Kennedy sharing the bench in foul trouble, the Peahens fought back. Led by Natasha Morris and Judson, the Peahens went on a 13-0 run to cut the lead to 16 with just over six minutes left in the game. Cook's basket at 5:04 halted a seven minute scoreless stretch for the Gaels, sealing the win.
As part of Iona's senior day ceremonies, Gaels' Coach Anthony Bozzella presented Peahen seniors Tania Kennedy and Carmen Smith with roses - to honor their careers at Saint Peter's and in the MAAC.
