NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — Saint Peter’s snapped a five-game skid with a 63-57 women’s basketball victory over Iona on Monday afternoon at Hynes Center. The Peacocks, who led 18-10 after the first quarter, weathered a second-quarter surge by the Gaels and used a 20-point third quarter to pull away for the conference win. Isabellah Middleton led all scorers with 26 points for Iona. Zoey Ward added 13 points and 14 rebounds. Nikola Zdenkova scored 10 points for Saint Peter’s. The Peacocks improved to 4-14. The Gaels fell to 11-7. Attendance was 579.

Preview: Saint Peter’s vs. Iona Women’s Basketball NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Iona Gaels, riding a three-game winning streak, will host the struggling Saint Peter’s Peacocks in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball matchup Monday at Hynes Center. Iona (11-6, 3-1 MAAC) has found its footing in conference play, most recently defeating Merrimack 58-51 on Jan. 14. The Gaels have been led by junior guard Isabellah Middleton, who is averaging 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds over her last five games. She posted 24 points and nine rebounds in a win at Niagara on Jan. 8. Saint Peter’s (3-14, 0-4) seeks its first conference victory amid a seven-game losing skid. The Peacocks are coming off a 74-47 road loss to Siena on Saturday. Their offense has consistently struggled, failing to reach 55 points in five of their last six contests. The Peacocks will rely on forward De’Naya Rippey, their most consistent performer. Rippey is averaging a double-double in MAAC play, including a 24-point, 14-rebound effort in a win at Niagara on Dec. 21. She scored 12 points with six rebounds in the loss to Siena. Iona’s defense, which has held opponents to an average of 52.7 points during its win streak, will be tested against Rippey. The Gaels’ balanced attack features Middleton alongside Ella Fajardo and Zoey Ward, who combined for 38 points in the win over Merrimack. Saint Peter’s has lost its four MAAC games by an average margin of 22.5 points. Iona won both meetings last season. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Iona travels to Rider on Thursday, while Saint Peter’s hosts Merrimack on Jan. 22.