HAMDEN, Conn. (Interstat) — Quinnipiac dominated Iona 80-54 in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday at TD Bank Sports Center. The Bobcats seized control with a 25-point third quarter, turning a 35-20 halftime lead into a decisive 60-33 advantage. Karson Martin led Quinnipiac with 19 points in 23 minutes. Anna Foley added 16 points and Sydney Ryan scored 14. Zoey Ward paced the Gaels with 15 points. Iona’s 21-point fourth quarter was its highest of the game but came with the outcome long decided. Quinnipiac improved to 9-4 overall. Iona fell to 8-5. An announced crowd of 487 attended the New Year’s Day contest.

Preview: Iona Gaels at Quinnipiac Bobcats HAMDEN, Conn. (Interstat) — Two teams riding momentum will open their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference schedules when the Iona Gaels visit the Quinnipiac Bobcats in a women’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Both teams enter with identical 8-4 overall records. The game at TD Bank Sports Center features a clash of recent form, with Quinnipiac winning four of its last five and Iona looking to build on a decisive victory in its last outing. The Gaels are coming off a 72-53 home win over Rider on Monday. Isabellah Middleton led the way with 14 points in 24 minutes, continuing a strong stretch for the standout. Over her last six games, Middleton is averaging 13.7 points, including a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double in a loss at Mount Saint Mary’s on Dec. 21. Her scoring punch will be central to Iona’s attack. Quinnipiac counters with its own versatile threat in Ella O’Donnell. The Bobcats are fresh from a dominant 67-27 road win at Saint Peter’s, where O’Donnell posted 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists in just 23 minutes. She has been efficient and productive, scoring in double figures in three of her last five contests and facilitating the offense. The Bobcats have shown a potent offense during their recent surge, averaging 71.2 points over their last five games. Iona’s defense, which held Rider to 53 points, will be tested. This New Year’s Day contest serves as the conference opener for both squads and could provide an early indicator in the MAAC race. The teams’ parallel records and contrasting paths to this point — Quinnipiac on a hot streak, Iona seeking consistency — set the stage for a compelling league debut. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. EST tip-off at Quinnipiac’s TD Bank Sports Center.