GAME 12 – Friday, January 2, 2015
Monmouth Hawks (5-6, 1-1 MAAC) at Iona Gaels (4-7, 1-1 MAAC)
Location: New Rochelle, N.Y. – Hynes Athletic Center
Tip: 7:00 p.m.
Live Video – www.MAAC.tv
Live Stats – www.ICGaels.com
Live Audio – www.WMCX.com
Twitter – www.Twitter.com/MUHawksWBB


The Monmouth University women's basketball team resumes MAAC play Friday, when it travels to New Rochelle, N.Y., to take on Iona. The Hawks and Gaels have already faced each other this season, with Monmouth taking a thrilling 75-74 victory in double overtime. Monmouth has lost its last two games against Princeton and Maryland Eastern Shore, as has Iona with losses to No. 17 Rutgers and at East Tennessee State.

SCOUTING THE IONA GAELS
The Gaels lost three of their five starters from a year ago, but return arguably the best two players in the league in 2014 MAAC Player of the Year Damika Martinez and fellow All-MAAC First Team selection Joy Adams. Martinez led the league at 24.9 points per game a year ago and Adams led the conference at 13.8 rebounds per game with a MAAC-best 26 double-doubles. This season has provided more of the same, with Martinez averaging 24.4 points and Adams posting 12.0 points and 12.8 rebounds per game. Texas Tech transfer Marina Lizarazu has averaged 10.8 points and dished out 5.7 assists per game. Aaliyah Robinson has also been a strong contributor at 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. IONA
Monmouth knotted the all-time series with Iona with the 75-74 double-overtime victory earlier this season. Iona took a 5-4 lead in the series by sweeping three games from the Hawks last season, including a MAAC Quarterfinal contest. Iona had won the last five meetings in 2007, 2008 and three last season. The Hawks took four-straight victories to begin the series in December of 1988, 1993, 2002 and 2003.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Jenny Horvatinovic and Mia Hopkins each scored career highs with 22 and 21 points, respectively, but the Hawks fell at Maryland Eastern Shore, 86-73, Tuesday afternoon at Hytche Arena. UMES outscored MU, 19-1, to close the game, holding Monmouth without a field goal for nearly the final six minutes of regulation.