Manhattan University Athletics

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – It was a battle between the Manhattan women's basketball team and the Iona Gaels Thursday evening in Draddy Gym that ended with Iona escaping 59-53.

Manhattan drops to 11-16 and 8-10 in league play while Iona extends their win streak to 15, improving to 21-5 and 16-1 in the MAAC.

"Tough home loss tonight. Some of the calls could have gone either way," Said head coach Heather Vulin. "An incredible performance by Dee Dee Davis once again. Time to dust our shoulders off and get ready The next one against the Mount"

The first quarter ended in a 12-12 deadlock with the Gaels. In the first quarter, Bella Nascimento accounted for seven of the Jaspers' 12 points on 3-5 shooting, including one triple.

Manhattan's offense made their move in the second quarter. The quarter opened up with a 12-2 run by the Jaspers which was kicked off by a Nascimento triple. Davis contributed seven points including another triple. Davis hit another triple later to help the Jaspers take a 29-22 advantage into halftime.

In the first half, Manhattan went 4-10 from beyond the arc while shooting just under 40 percent (37.9) from the field.

Iona responded in the third quarter with a strong showing out the gate, managing to cut the lead to two at the third quarter media timeout, 33-31. It was a battle for the rest of the quarter, with neither team creating any meaningful distance from their opposition. Davis hit four free throws to take a one-point lead. While Iona did respond with a basket of their own. Brazil Harvey-Carr beat the third-quarter buzzer off an inbound to take a slim 39-38 lead into the final 10 minutes.

The fourth quarter was everything it was destined to be in a close game like this evening. The teams traded threes to open the quarter, with Kate Mager of Iona connecting first but Harvey-Carr responding with a triple of her own.

With just under three minutes left, Iona was able to take a six-point lead 53-47 thanks to a Judith Gomez triple. Manhattan kept their poise and responded with some strong offensive trips down the court. Anne Bair found Helena Galunic down low who finished to bring the Jaspers within four (53-59).

Petra Juric brought Manhattan within one possession with a transition layup following a Jasper steal by Davis. Manhattan would get a chance to tie the game soon after but Nascimento would only hit one of two free throws. The Gaels hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Davis finished the game with a double-double, pouring in 22 points while securing 13 boards. Her career point total is now 1,441, which is good for fifth all time, passing Lindsey Loutsenhizer and Kayla Grimme this evening.

Iona was powered by the reigning MAAC Player of the Week, Ketsia Athias, who totaled 13 points and 12 boards.

Manhattan's final road game is Saturday when the team makes their first trip to Mount St. Mary's on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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