Women's Basketball can't hold on; fall to Suffolk 61-57

Story Courtesy of Suffolk Sports Information

(Boston, Mass.) The Rivier University Women's Basketball team squandered a late lead as Suffolk University was able to storm back and earn the 61-57 Great Northeast Athletic Conference win this evening at the Regan Gymnasium. Trailing 47-38 entering the final 10 minutes of play, Suffolk went on a 23-10 run to close out the four point contest.

Rivier (8-14, 3-6 GNAC) was paced by 16 points from freshman Kaylee Kacavas (Dracut, Mass.). Juniors Rebecca DeBaldo (Pelham, N.H.) and Caitlin Bulger (Quincy, Mass.) also notched double digits for the Raiders with 13 and 12, respectively.

Kelsey Schiebel was the key ingredient to the Ram's (13-9, 5-3 GNAC) comeback as the junior guard scored nine of her 12 points in the fourth frame. Schiebel shot 4-of-7 from the floor to lead the charge and added three helpers and one carom. Chelsea Campellone continued to be a contributing presence for Suffolk with the senior forward pitching in a game-high 27 points and 15 rebounds for her 10th double-double effort of the season. Caitlyn Caramello also grabbed double-figure boards with 13.

The first quarter and midway through the second was a see-saw affair with neither team taking a definite advantage. Rivier put in back-to-back hoops to cause a Suffolk timeout and did the same out of the break to take a 30-23 lead with 52 seconds to play before half time. Alessandra Quadri broke up the run with a freebie, before a scoreless 39 seconds on both ends of the hardwood sent Suffolk to the locker room down, 30-24.

Throughout the third, Suffolk chipped away at Rivier's lead, but could not get any closer than five, and took a nine-point deficit heading into the final quarter, 47-38. Schiebel sparked a 9-2 stretch that put the Rams within two, 49-47, with 4:55 remaining. The Raiders jumped ahead by six, 54-48, before a flurry of Suffolk hoops went unanswered capped by freebies from Schiebel that tied the contest before giving the Rams a 55-54 edge.

Schiebel tacked on another free throw and Campellone put one away to make Suffolk's cushioin 58-54 with 1:46 on the clock. Bulger sunk a trey for Rivier at 1:36, but Campellone swished a set from the stripe and Georgia Bourikas put a free throw away to seal the 61-57 triumph.

Rivier will honor their two Seniors this Saturday afternoon prior to the start of the team's final home game against Anna Maria College. Festivities will begin at 12:45pm for the 1pm tip-off. Suffolk will close out its home slate Saturday, Feb. 13 as the Rams welcome Albertus Magnus to Regan Gymnasium for a 1 p.m. contest. Prior to tip-off, Suffolk will honor the playing careers of its three graduating seniors.