Johnson & Wales Women’s Basketball Defeats Rivier, 67-44

Providence, R.I. – The Johnson & Wales University women's basketball posted a 67-44 victory against Rivier in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at the Harborside RAC on Saturday afternoon.

Johnson & Wales was paced by senior Morgan Wilson (Lagrangeville, N.Y.) who tallied a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds while recording nine steals. Sophomore Marina Millian (Chester, N.Y.) also had a double-double with 13 points and 14 boards. Freshman Jenna Juron (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) was also in double figures with 12 points and four boards for the Wildcats.

Rivier was led by junior Amandra Purcell (Hudson, N.H.) with 15 points while freshman Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, Mass.) also had 15 points and three rebounds. Fellow rookie Jackie Penniman (Dudley, Mass.) added six points and 11 boards in the setback for the Raiders.

Johnson & Wales controlled the action early and led 19-7 after a layup by Wilson with 12:45 left in the first half. Rivier responded, however and cut the lead to 28-20 in a three pointer by Sweeney with 4:39 remaining in the half. That would be as close as the Raiders got as the Wildcats took the 33-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Rivier cut into the lead in the early stages of the second half and cut the lead to 40-38 on a three pointer by Purcell with 11:46 left in the game. JWU then used a 13-1 run, capped by a layup from Millian to take a 53-39 lead with 7:12 remaining on the clock. The Wildcats then cruised to the 67-44 victory.

With the win JWU is now 5-11 for the season and 2-2 in the GNAC while Rivier falls to 4-13 on the year, 2-3 in league play.