Manhattan University Athletics

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – A season full of adversity and injuries ended Saturday afternoon at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in the MAAC Championship Game as Iona denied the Manhattan women's basketball team the chance to raise the trophy, winning 73-60.

Manhattan will return to Riverdale for the final time with a record of 16-17.

"I just need to give so much credit to my team," said head coach Heather Vulin. "For us to be the first sixth seed to make the Championship Game and to be a team that made the Championship Game as the third seed last year shows we have this program heading in the right direction."

The first half was as much of a battle as the previous three games that Manhattan won to earn their place in the title game. Manhattan clung to a 15-13 lead to end the first quarter, but Iona took the lead into halftime with a 27-25 advantage.

Iona created space in the third quarter that would be too great for the Green and White to overcome. The Gaels used a 16-2 run to seal the game. Manhattan was able to string together some offense in the final quarter; Iona responded strong and put the Jaspers away.

Helena Galunic turned in a double-figure performance for the first time since Nov. 19 against Howard. The sophomore provided 10 points on 3-4 shooting. The other double-figure scorers were Bella Nascimento (10), Dee Dee Davis (11), and Brazil Harvey-Carr (12).

Iona's Juana Camilion showed why she was named the MAAC Player of the Year today, leading the Gaels to the title with 24 points while playing all 40 minutes.

Harvey-Carr and Petra Juric earned spots on the All-Tournament Team for their efforts this weekend. 

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