Rivier Too Much for Pine Manor

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- Despite a game-high 21 points from sophomore guard Tia Nelson (Rockport, MA/Rockport), Pine Manor could not keep up with a balanced Rivier attack, dropping a 99-55 decision Saturday afternoon at Pine Manor Gymnasium in Chestnut Hill, MA. The win was the second in three days for Rivier, helping the Raiders to improve to 3-10 on the season and 1-0 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play. With the loss Pine Manor drops to 3-8 overall (0-1 GNAC).

Rivier got out to a big lead in the game, carrying a 16-4 advantage just five minutes in, thanks to a jumper by sophomore Sarah Howard (W. Greenwich, RI/Lincoln). Howard was one of six players for Rivier to score in double figures. Freshman Britney Lane (Waterford, VT/St. Johnsbury Academy) and classmate Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA/Northbridge) led the charge for the Raiders with 13 points each. While Jackie Penniman (Dudley, MA/Shepherd Hill Regional) scored twelve, finishing 6 of 7 from the field. Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA/Chicopee Comp.) and Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH/Alvirne) also finished in double figures for Rivier, each notching 11 points.

With Rivier leading 16-4, Pine Manor would close the gap to 16-11, following a jumper by Phibe Pham (Boston, MA/Snowden) with 13:13 remaining in the first half. From that point the Raiders would pull away, as the five point deficit was as close as the Gators would get for the remainder of the game. Pham finished with 10 points for Pine Manor, while junior Jessica Gilmore (Dorchester, MA/English) was the Gators' second leading scorer with 12 points in the game.

Leading 58-31 at the half, Rivier never looked back, as the Raiders led comfortably, 80-45 at the midpoint of the second half before closing out the Gators 99-55. Rivier established a 63 to 35 advantage on the glass and shot 45% as a team to only 29% from the field for Pine Manor.

Both teams will continue GNAC play this week, as Rivier will return home to host Emerson on Tuesday, January 11. The Gators will also be in action Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m when they travel to Suffolk to take on the Rams.