NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Despite a strong defensive surge in the second quarter and a late push in the fourth, the UMass Lowell women's basketball team (3–5) fell on the road to Iona (6-2), 67–56, on Wednesday night.

"Tough result for us on the road," commented head coach Jon Plefka. "We battled especially our guards but unfortunately ran out of gas at the end. Little things doomed us so we will definitely work to correct those these next days in preparation for New Haven on Saturday."

UMass Lowell stayed within striking distance through the opening 20 minutes, heading into halftime trailing 31–26 after a late push in the second quarter. The River Hawks held Iona to 5-for-18 shooting in the frame and trimmed what had been a 12-point deficit down to one possession before the Gaels scored in the final seconds.

Freshman guard Tyanna Medina (Lawrence, Mass.) paced the early effort with four points, four rebounds, and a steal, while senior guard Jaini Edmonds (Worcester, Mass.) added six points, four rebounds, and three assists, including a step-back jumper in the closing minute of the half. Off the bench, sophomore forward Klimentina Modeva (Ohrid, Northern Macedonia) provided a strong interior presence with nine points, six rebounds, and one block, helping UMass Lowell out-rebound the Gaels 25–23 before the break.

Out of halftime, UMass Lowell opened the third quarter with its best offensive stretch of the night. Edmonds knocked down a three on the opening possession before senior guard Sabrina Larsson (Uppsala, Sweden) hit another from deep to pull the River Hawks within one. Moments later, Edmonds tied it at 34–34 with a step-back jumper, and Medina drilled a three to even the score again at 37–37. Medina added a driving finish to tie it 39–39, capping a stretch where the River Hawks traded baskets and forced Iona to counter. Edmonds later connected on another three to bring UML within four and followed with a transition layup to make it 48–46 late in the quarter.

Modeva added a second-chance layup early in the fourth, while Larsson scored inside to keep the River Hawks within two possessions. Medina converted another putback to pull UML within 62–54 in the closing minutes, and Modeva added one last finish underneath before the final horn.

UMass Lowell returns to action on Saturday, traveling to face New Haven at 1 p.m.