Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College women's basketball team dropped its home opener at the Spiro Sports Center to Iona on Monday evening, 67-55.
Junior Semie Brar kept up her torrid scoring stretch, tallying a season-high 26 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
The Seahawks held an early first quarter lead after sophomore Angélie Ricard drilled a three-pointer with 5:32 remaining. But it was the offensive output and continued emergence of Brar that kept Wagner within two possessions of Iona by the end of the quarter.
Brar supplied seven first quarter points to go along with an assist. The Fresno, CA, native finished the half with a game-high 12 points, shooting 2-for-3 from deep and 5-for-8 overall.
Junior Rakisha Ballinger added an additional five points in the first half.
Despite Brar's impact, the Seahawks still entered the half trailing, 38-23, behind a difficult second period. The visiting Gaels nailed three three-pointers and seven free throws to help take the commanding lead. Overall, the Gaels shot 52% from the field in the opening 20 minutes.
The Green & White came out of the intermission with an early 6-2 advantage led by Brar and freshman Kiera Edmonds, but the Gaels's balanced attack extended Wagner's deficit.
Brar continued to impress in the final period, scoring eight points in the opening 3:30 of action.
Ballinger produced eight points and eight boards as the Seahawks fell to 0-5 on the year. The Gaels improved to 2-3 with the victory.
Wagner will welcome Navy to the Spiro Sports Center on Thursday, November 30 at 7:00 pm.
