Purcell Sisters lead Raiders past Nichols, 65-61

Nashua, NH – The Rivier College Raiders, led by the dynamic sister duo of Amandra and Deanna Purcell, was able to edge a tough Nichols College squad, 65-61 in the season home opener at the Muldoon Gymnasium.

The Raiders (3-1 overall) got out to a fast start as they had a 7-2 run five minutes into the game. The teams traded baskets over the next couple minutes of play before Nichols went on a 9-0 run to make it 18-15. That was the only lead the Bison (0-2 overall) would have as the Purcell sisters made back-to-back baskets to give the Raiders a slight 23-20 advantage. Rivier would extend the lead to seven late in the half as freshman Shannon Marcoux (Falmouth, MA) drilled a three in the corner. NC junior Natalie Wilson (Bedford, NH) would quickly answer with a jumper to cut the deficit to just five as the teams entered the locker rooms for halftime. The Purcell sisters combined for 21 points while the combo of Wilson and junior Hayley Zophin (Framingham, MA) recorded 20 in the first 20 minutes of play.

The Raiders controlled the first 15 minutes of the second half as they built a five point lead at halftime into a 13 point lead. However the resilient Bison battled their way back into the game within the final two minutes of action. Down by 12 with 2:23 left, Nichols' sophomore Kasey Pelletier (Dunstable, MA) hit a jumper before freshman Carly Turpel (Berkley, MA) knocked down two huge three pointers and a layup from to make it a 63-61 game with under a minute left. Rivier freshman Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH) came up big with 0:25 left as she collected a missed free throw and quickly gave the ball to her sister, senior Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH) who was immediately fouled. The elder Purcell was able to hit both free throws as Rivier came away victorious 65-61.

For the game, Deanna Purcell led the team with 19 points. Amandra Purcell finished with 12 points and 4 assists to go along with a team high 6 rebounds. Sophomore Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA) also collected 6 rebounds while adding 6 points in her 23 minutes off the bench. Sophomore Jaclyn Penniman (Dudley, MA) contributed with 9 points.

Nichols got double-digit scoring performances out of Wilson and Zophin who had 16 and 12 points respectively. Wilson also collected 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Pelletier recorded a team high 4 assists while Turpel finished with 8 points in her 2 minutes of action.

Rivier held the edge in terms of team shooting. The Raiders shot 46.3% from the floor and 81.8% from the charity stripe. Nichols recorded 36.4% and 50%. The Bison did outrebound Rivier 40-37 and committed three less turnovers.

Next up for Rivier will be Connecticut College on Thursday, December 1st. The Camels will visit the Muldoon Gymnasium with a game time scheduled for 6pm. Nichols will host Fitchburg State in their home opener on Monday, November 28th. That game time is set for 5:30pm.