MOUNT ST. MARY'S (6-12, 3-6 MAAC) vs. IONA (7-11, 2-7 MAAC)
Thursday, February 1 | 7 p.m.
Emmitsburg, Md. | Knott Arena
 
TICKETS | GAME NOTES | WATCH | LIVE STATS
 
EMMITSBURG, Md. (January 31, 2024) – As the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) season reaches its halfway point, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball hosts Iona at Knott Arena.
 
MOUNT UPDATE
 
Seeing a two-game win streak come to an end, the Mount fell to Niagara by a final of 80-63. Jada Lee led the team in scoring with 14 points and Giana Hoddinott recorded a career-high of seven. The team outpaced the Purple Eagles in rebounding, 41-40, but committed 34 turnovers, most for a game since 2014.
 
Entering the 10^th game of a 20-game schedule, Mount St. Mary's holds down eighth place in the MAAC standings, matching preseason projections. Fairfield at 9-0 possesses the top spot. Quinnipiac at 4-5 and Marist at 3-5 are ahead of the Mount while Iona, Rider, and Saint Peter's have a three-way tie behind them at 2-7.
 
Jo Raflo continues to be the Mount's leader in points scored and is closing in on 500 for her career in Emmitsburg. Isabella Hunt is the leader in rebounds and assists while Lee has the highest number of steals.

SCOUTING IONA
 
The Gaels look to reestablish an identity after winning the 2023 MAAC Tournament. They went on to see head coach Billi Chambers and several key players, including Player of the Year Juana Camilion, leave the program. First-year head coach Angelika Szumilo arrived from Fairleigh Dickinson and has amassed seven wins, including a victory over Providence as part of a three-game win streak.
 
Fellow Knights transfer Sierra DeAngelo along with Natalia Otkhmezuri share the team lead in points per game at 11.4 each. DeAngelo leads in rebounds at 5.8 per game, and another FDU transfer, Ella Fajardo, holds the most assists. At 34 percent, Iona is among the league leader at shooting three-pointers.

THE ALL-TIME SERIES
 
During the Mount's inaugural season in the MAAC, Iona swept all three contests but the #8 seeded Mountaineers almost pulled off the upset of the top-seeded Gaels in the conference tournament before falling in a 39-37 defensive slugfest.

LOOKING AHEAD
 
Mount St. Mary's travels to Manhattan Saturday (Feb. 3). They return home for games against Rider and Canisius next week.