Women's Basketball slips by Simmons, earn win #18 of the season

(Nashua, New Hampshire) The Rivier University Women's Basketball overcame a tough start to the game as they ran away in the second half of a 72-59 win over Simmons College this evening at the Muldoon Gymnasium in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action. The win lifts the Raiders' overall record to 18-6 with an 8-2 mark in the GNAC. Simmons falls to 3-18 overall and 1-9 in the GNAC.

Four different Raiders were able to hit the double-digit plateau tonight as junior Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH) led all scorers with 22 points. Senior AJ Guidi (Derry, NH) connected on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc as she finished with 16 points and senior Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, Mass.) had 10 points and a team high 7 rebounds. Senior Laura Yesu (Longmeadow, Mass.) also added 10 points in a reserve effort for Rivier.

Simmons sophomore Jen Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.) was outstanding from 3-point land as she was a stellar 6-for-9 as she matched Purcell with 22 points for the game high. Senior Leah Davis (Cranston, RI) added 11 points off the bench for the Sharks while freshman Ashley McAdams (Freeport, NY) and sophomore Nicole Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) each pulled down 7 rebounds.

The Raiders will return to action on Saturday afternoon as they host Anna Maria College. It is also Senior Saturday as the six seniors will be honored prior to the start of the game. Simmons will wrap up their regular season with a 1pm game at Mount Ida on Saturday afternoon.