Rivier Women Fall Hard to Suffolk, 84-46

Nashua, NH - The Rivier women's basketball team fought hard, but were no match for the Suffolk University Rams as the home team lost their fifth straight game by a score of 84-46.  The Raiders could only muster 16 points in the first half, shooting just 20% from the floor.

The Rams out scored the Raiders 47-16 in the first half and played on cruise control during the second to take their sixth Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC ) victory of the season.  The Rams defense was all over Rivier's leading scorer Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH) as the junior was only able to get off 6 shots during the entire game going 1 for 6 from the floor and 0 for 2 from three-point land. 

Able to step up and make a contribution for the Raiders were freshmen Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) and Jackie Penniman (Dudley, MA) who combined for 25 of the Raiders 46 points.  Penniman also grabbed a team high 9 rebounds while Baker reeled in 6 of her own.  Senior Stacey Laine (Hudson, NH) chipped in with 7 points, but no other Raider player scored more than 4, with 5 players being held scoreless despite every Raider taking a shot.

The Raiders will try to right the ship and climb back into playoff contention on Wednesday when they travel to Newton, MA to take on the Mustangs of Mount Ida College for a 6 PM game.  The Raiders are currently sitting in 9th place in the GNAC standings with the top 8 eligible for the post season.