Next Game: at No. 2 Maryland 3/19/2016 | 1:30 PM

ALBANY, NY – For the first time in program history, the Iona College women's basketball program has won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title. The No. 2 seeded Gaels defeated the top-seeded Quinnipiac Bobcats by a final score of 57-41.

Senior Joy Adams and junior Marina Lizarazu were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Lizarazu being named the Championship's Most Outstanding Player. The All-MAAC First Team member scored 19 points to lead all-scorers in the title game, shooting six-of-17 from the field.

Adams recorded her 21st double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

It took some time for the Gaels to find their footing on the offensive end, missing their first six shots of the game. Adams finally broke the ice with a coast-to-coast steal and lay-in with 4:43 remaining in the first quarter. Once the flow began to gather steam for the Maroon & Gold, freshman Treyanna Clay gave the Gaels a 9-7 lead with a three-pointer. Iona led by two at the end of the quarter, 13-11.

Come the second frame, freshman Alexis Lewis took it upon herself to show why she was voted onto the All-MAAC Rookie Team, and the Co-Sixth Player of the Year. The Pittson, PA native hit a pair of deep triples, propelling the Gaels to a 14-2 run that stretch over a span of seven minutes. Iona opened up a 29-17 lead by holding the Quinnipiac Bobcats scoreless for over five minutes.

Entering halftime, the defensive standard that Head Coach Billi Godsey and her staff continuously preach was performing at all-time high; the Bobcats missed 10 of their last 12 shots. Quinnipiac hit on 26.7% of the shots in the opening twenty minutes, failing to record one three-point field goal. The Gaels shot 40% in the opening half.

The Bobcats opened up the second half by hitting their first three-point field goal of the game. Sophomore Carly Fabbri hit the long-range shot that seemed to fuel some life back into Quinnipiac's long-distance attack. Red-Shirt junior Adily Martucci, who had started the game for the injured senior captain Marina Napolitano, continued the momentum for the Regular Season Championship by hitting two more from beyond the arc.

With 4:40 remaining in the third, Iona was forced to call a timeout as they saw their once 12 point lead diminish to just four, 36-32. Coming out of the huddle, Lizarazu hit a pull-up jumper from the elbow to extend the lead back to six. The Quinnipiac surge was officially squashed when senior Aaliyah Robinson hit her first field goal of the game from beyond the arc in the right corner, giving the Gaels back a more comfortable cushion of 41-32.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Gaels hadn't allowed any Bobcat points over the final 4:20 of the third. The defensive dominance continued for the start of the fourth until sophomore Sarah Shewan may a bucket at the 7:10 mark.

Iona outscored Quinnipiac 16-9 in the final period, extending their lead to as large as 17. Lizarazu capped off her MOP Tournament by icing the game, making all six free throws she attempted over the course of the final two minutes.

Previous to today's win, Iona had lost all three finals games they appeared in, their last coming in 2013 against the Marist Red Foxes. The Maroon & Gold made sure that didn't happen again by allowing a season-low 41 points to highest scoring team in the MAAC this season.

Martucci led Quinnipiac with 12 points, and Rookie of the Year Aryn McClure chipped in 11. Fabbri led the Bobcats with seven rebounds and three assists; freshman Paula Strautmane also posted three dimes.

Junior Karynda DuPree had a good all-around game for Iona, posting six points, three blocks, and five rebounds. Lewis finished with nine points and seven rebounds.

The Gaels outrebounded the Bobcats 39-31, and managed to force 13 turnovers.

By virtue of winning the conference tournament, Iona has earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship. They will find out their seeding and opponent on Monday, March 14.

Stay tuned to ICGaels.com for more information on the 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champions.