Women's Basketball: Raiders tripped up by Saint Joseph, 79-52

Story written and posted by Anthony Perry, Rivier University Sports Information Director

WEST HARTFORD, CONN. – The Rivier University Women's Basketball team suffered a Great Northeast Athletic Conference defeat this afternoon on the road at the University of Saint Joseph, 79-52. The loss moves the Raiders to an overall record of 4-12 with a 0-5 mark against the conference while the Blue Jays improve to 9-9 overall, 1-4 in league play.

Freshman Heather Ries (Mont Vernon, N.H.) led way offensively for the Raiders as she finished with 11 points while collecting eight rebounds. Sophomore Cydney Lessard (Derry, N.H.) added 10 points and classmate Alexandra Grumblatt (Manchester, N.H.) chipped in with nine points and 10 rebounds – her 13th double-digit rebound game of the season. A pair of Nashua, N.H. freshman shined off the bench this afternoon as Arianna Motivala and Jayden Smith totaled nine and eight points, respectively, in the loss.

USJ was guided by the double-double effort from junior Deanna De La Cruz (Winsted, Conn.), who recorded 12 points and the game-high of 20 rebounds. Freshman Tiana Asberry (East Hartford, Conn.) registered the game-high with 16 points on the afternoon and sophomore Katelyn Vazquez (Manchester, Conn.) provided addition help off the bench with 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Silvana Barcomb (Middletown, Conn.) also reached double-figures with 11 points scored in the win.

Rivier will return home to the Muldoon Gymnasium for their next scheduled contest on Wednesday night. The Raiders will host Norwich University in a 7pm scheduled tip in GNAC action. The Blue Jays will travel to Becker College on Thursday night in a rescheduled contest from December 2nd. Game time is set for 7pm.