The Iona College women’s basketball team fell to 0-3 on the season after losing to Temple 59-54 in the home opener on Sunday afternoon.

Junior guard Alexis Lewis registered a double-double, 10 points and 14 rebounds. Junior Treyanna Clay tallied a team-high 16 points while freshman Toyosi Abiola scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds.

The game started off slow as both teams combined to score 10 points in the first quarter. Iona did well defensively, holding the Owls to two points in the quarter.

“We work extremely hard defensively,” head coach Billi Chambers said. “We challenge our team every day to take charges.”

Iona was forcing multiple fouls throughout the first quarter, securing three of four free throws. The Gaels carried their defensive intensity into the second quarter as they secured a three-point lead going into halftime.

“That’s always who we’ve been,” Chambers said. “We’ve been at the top of the league defensively when it comes to the MAAC. We believe defense will win for us.”

While defense was a major focus for the Gaels, the offense took a hit as they shot 35.7 percent from the floor in the second quarter.

Temple made offensive adjustments in the second half and found holes in Iona’s defense.

“[Temple] got the ball to their scorers,” Chambers said. “I think our lack of attention to detail when it came to our defensive responsibilities really hurt us.”

It was in the third quarter when Temple took its first lead of the game. The Gaels defensive performance started to hinder more and more as the game went on.

“[Temple’s] attention to detail and our lack of attention to detail helped them get going, scoring wise,” Chambers said. “They started to get people into the spots where they wanted to score.”

The focus from the team was lacking throughout the majority of the game today, allowing Temple to capitalize and take the win.

“That focus on defense of understanding that’s who we are,” Chambers explained. “That’s our standard. It has to grow if we want to be a little bit more successful.”

Iona’s next game on the road against Duquesne University on Tuesday.

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