February 23, 2006 - Iona 64 Rider 53
February 23, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women’s College Basketball
Iona College 64, Rider University 53
LAWRENCEVILLE—Trailing by 18 points, Rider came back to cut the lead to five before the Broncs lost a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game to Iona Thursday. “We fought hard to get back, we just couldn’t get over the hump,” said Rider head coach Tori Harrison. “I can’t speak highly enough on how well we fought back.”
Trailing 53-43, Rider (3-23, 2-15 MAAC) went on a 7-2 run, four points by sophomore Janele Henderson (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Loughlin), to cut the lead to five, 55-50 with 5:50 left to play. Henderson finished with 11 points.
Holding a 14-11 lead mid-way through the first half, Iona (15-11, 12-5 MAAC) went on a 13-1 run, five points by Jessica Anger, to take a 27-12 lead, and Iona led 36-20 at half time. Anger finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Iona led 46-29 before Rider went on a 12-4 Rider to cut the lead to nine, 50-41 with 8:00 left to play. “We out-scored them (33-28) in the second half,” said Harrison. “We made some adjustments at half time.”
Freshman Danielle Costantino (Norristown, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) came in off the bench to compile 12 points for Rider, while junior Theia Preston (West Blocton, Ala./Wallace CC) added 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Senior Christine Catalanotto (Flushing, NY/Christ the King) had eight points and four assists, while junior Kara Borel (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. “Kara has been bothered by that sore hand, so her offensive numbers are down, but she continued to rebound and play well on the defensive end,” said Harrison.
For Iona, guard Tiara Headen compiled 16 points and nine rebounds.
Rider hosts first-place Marist Sunday in the regular season finale. “I told the kids that we have to believe,” said Harrison. “we have to believe that we can win. Marist is an exceptional team, so we’d have to play a near-perfect game to beat them, but I know the entire team wants to play well for Christine, for her last home game.”
Catalanotto, Rider’s lone senior, will be honored prior to the last game Sunday.
-RU-
