Rivier Wins Home Opener

Nashua, NH – Rivier College Women's Basketball won its home and season opener tonight against a young scrappy Eastern Nazarene College team, 61-55.  Rivier head coach Paul Williams picks up his first ever collegiate win in his first season at the helm.

The Raiders gained the lead early in the first half and held it for most of the game, with Eastern Nazarene constantly putting on the pressure and tying the game four different times in the second half, but every time the lead went away, the Raiders would find a way to get it right back.  After all was said and done, the big difference in the game was free throws.  Rivier was 11-16 in the game, shooting 68.8% from the line while the Lions were just 6-15, shooting 40%.  The Raiders also had a significant advantage from the three point line going 6-18, compared to just 1-6 for the visiting team.  The Lions did keep themselves in the game from inside the paint, out rebounding the Raiders on the offensive boards 17-10 and giving themselves multiple second chance opportunities.

Rivier was led by junior guard Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH) on offense, her 17 points came from a 4-8 shooting night behind the 3 point line and 5-7 from the free throw line.  Senior captain Steph Adams (Nashua, NH) followed with 11 points and freshman Jackie Penniman (Dudley, MA) chipped in with 9 points.  Adams added 11 rebounds on the night and freshman Laura Yesu (Longmeadow, MA) grabbed 8 rebounds in the win.  Freshman Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) had a team high 6 assists.

For the visiting Lions, sophomore Shardae Brown (Waterbury, CT) had a game high 23 points and added 18 rebounds, while teammate Ace Carradine (Honolulu, HI) added 14 points and a team high 7 assists.  Freshman Diana Bonds added 11 points and had a game high 20 rebounds.

The Raiders will travel to Wheaton College in Norton, MA on Friday for the Wheaton College Tip Off Tournament where they will play the hosts at 6:00 PM.