Iona College women’s basketball junior Morgan Rachu didn’t know what her role would be when she joined the team after playing two years at Wisconsin-Marathon Community College.

Her goal when she first step on campus was simple-do whatever the team needed her to do to win. It didn’t matter how much she plays or how many points she averages, Rachu entered the season striving to be the best teammate in her first year with the Gaels.

With Iona struggling to win games and develop consistency on both ends of the court, Rachu has seen herself play more minutes and take on a bigger role she initially thought.

“I had no idea I will be playing the minutes I’ve been playing,” Rachu said. “Honestly, I had no idea I’ll score five points.”

Rachu plays 37 minutes per game, which is the most by any player on the team. Rachu registered a season high 40 minutes in Iona’s victory over George Washington on Nov. 18.

“It was crazy,” Rachu said. “But, it doesn’t feel like 40 minutes. It honestly feels like a fast practice or a fast scrimmage to me. You really don’t feel like your playing a full 40 minutes.”

Despite Iona’s struggles on the court, Rachu feels her experience in New Rochelle has been positive.

“The experience has been great,” Rachu said. “Games are not going our way and we’re not playing the way we want to play, but this atmosphere is great and playing Division 1 basketball has always been a dream of mine.”

It took Rachu some time to understand the difference between playing junior college basketball compared to Division I. Now she feels adjusted to the new style of play and understands her role on the team.

“Jumping from JUCO to college here is way different,” Rachu said. “Basketball is a [faster] pace, but I think I’ve adjusted well.”

Rachu leads the Gaels in scoring, averaging 16 points per game and shooting 42 percent from the floor. Rachu scored a season high 20 points against George Washington. Rachu is known for scoring the ball, as she averaged 38 points per game during her second season at Wisconsin-Marathon.

Iona sits with a 1-6 record through seven games into the season. Rachu thinks the Gaels have a done a good job remaining together as a team through this tough stretch.

“Even though things don’t go our way on the court, we are like a big family and we’re much better than what we show.”