St. Joseph’s Beats Rivier With Last Second Free Throw, 65-64

Nashua, NH – In a game that was decided by free throws, literally, the Monks of St. Joseph's College of Maine overtook the Rivier College Raiders 65-64 today in women's basketball action. With a tie game and just a one second difference between the shot clock and game clock the Raiders were running the time down to make sure if they missed the shot the Monks wouldn't have enough time to get another shot off. However, after a missed jump shot by senior Steph Adams (Nashua, NH) a scramble for the ball resulted in a Rivier foul with just 1.2 seconds remaining which put Monks junior center Ashley Geel on the free throw line. Geel made the first to give the Monks a 1 point lead and smartly missed the second to get the clock running, which didn't allow for the Raiders to get another shot attempt.

Of course I did say this game was decided by free throws, but not just the ones that were made. Rivier shot just 50% from the free throw line, going 9 for 18 throughout the game, and hurting any chance they had of gaining a lead at any time during the game. Seven of those nine missed free throws came from freshman Jackie Penniman (Dudley, MA), who apart from the free throw line had a great game. Penniman had 14 points and a team high 9 rebounds and 4 blocked shots and even went 1 for 1 from the 3-point line, but the missed free throws are what killed the Raiders chances of taking their fourth straight win and third straight GNAC victory.

The Monks played great defense throughout the contest, holding the Raiders to just 5 for 15 from the 3-point line while sticking to the Raiders perimeter shooters like glue. On the other end, freshman Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA) also played great defense, helping to hold every player on the Monks, except for one, under 10 points for the game.

Geel led all scorers with 20 points for the Monks and pulled down a team high 8 rebounds. Abby Young (North Yarmouth, ME) scored 9 points while Allie Parent (Camden, ME) put in 8 and grabbed 7 rebounds.

Rivier's Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH) scored 18 points to lead the Raiders while Penniman had 14 and freshman Britney Lane added 10. Sweeney added 5 points and 4 assists on the day and freshman point guard Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) scrapped inside for 6 rebounds.

The Raiders will host GNAC powerhouse Emmanuel College on Monday, January 17th at 3:00 PM, following the Rivier vs. Suffolk men's basketball game scheduled at 1:00. The Monks will host Johnson & Wales at 1:00 on the same day.