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Canisius University Athletics

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Athina Lexa drives to the basket against Iona on Feb. 29, 2024
Anthony Militello
71
Winner Iona Iona 11-15,6-11 MAAC
58
Canisius Canis 15-12,10-8 MAAC
Winner
Iona Iona
11-15,6-11 MAAC
71
Final
58
Canisius Canis
15-12,10-8 MAAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Iona Iona 12 13 22 24 71
Canisius Canis 13 16 12 17 58

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Iona Uses Strong Second Half to Defeat Women's Basketball

Iona outscored Canisius by a 46-31 margin in the second half to erase a four-point deficit and post a 71-58 victory in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women's basketball action Thursday at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
 
With the win, the Gaels improved their record to 11-15 overall and 6-11 in MAAC action while the Golden Griffins fell to 15-12 and 10-8 in conference.
 
Four different Gaels finished in double-figures with Noa Givon leading the pack with 17 points. Judith Gomez (16), Ella Fajardo (15) and Petra Oborilova (11) rounded out the quartet of double-digit scorers for Iona. On the glass, Sierra DeAngelo hauled in a team-best eight rebounds while Zoey Ward dished out four assists.
 
Junior Athina Lexa led the Griffs in scoring with 18 points while sophomore Sisi Eleko notched her MAAC-leading 15th double-double with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Eleko and freshman Mary Copple each dished out a team-high three assists.
 
Trailing 13-12 at the start the second quarter, the Gaels scored seven of the first 10 points of the frame to take a 19-16 lead with six minutes to go before the halftime break. 
 
Canisius found its form to close the frame, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor to outpace Iona, 13-6, to grab a slim 29-25 lead at halftime.
   
The Gaels took control of the game in the third quarter, holding Canisius to 12 points while using multiple scoring stretches build a 47-41 cushion ahead of the fourth quarter.
 
The Gaels did not relent in the final frame, using a 10-4 run during the middle stages of the fourth to stymie a late push from the Griffs and seal the road win.
 
POSTGAME COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH SAHAR NUSSEIBEH:  
 
GAME NOTES
• Today served as the 70th all-time meeting between the Gaels and the Griffs. Iona still leads the overall series, 41-29, and picked up their 22nd win in Buffalo, N.Y.
• With her 12 rebounds on Thursday, Eleko passed Shauna Geronzin for sole possession of first place for rebounds by a sophomore with 290. She now needs three boards to pass Kara Haun for sixth all-time for total rebounds in a single-season with 293.
• Canisius played a game on Feb. 29 for just the third time in program history with Thursday's contest. The Griffs are now 1-2 on the rare date.
• Lexa finished in double-figures for the third consecutive game and 15th time this season.
• The Griffs lost for the first time this season when wearing their pink jerseys, moving to 3-1.
• The Gaels held a 37-27 advantage on the glass and 12-6 edge in offensive rebounds.
• Canisius lost only its third game all season when leading at halftime. The Griffs are now 12-3 this season when leading after 20 minutes of play.
 
UP NEXT:
Canisius hosts Rider in its final home game of the 2023-24 season on Senior Day. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m., with the game airing on ESPN+.

Prior to the contest, there will be a pregame ceremony honoring the graduating members of the team. 
 
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