Guidi's doube-double leads Raiders past Emerson

(Nashua, NH) The Rivier University Women's Basketball team held off a late run from Emerson College in a 94-87 shootout at the Muldoon Gymnasium this afternoon. Junior A.J. Guidi (Derry, NH) recorded a double-double as the Raiders improved to 4-2 overall on the season and a 1-0 mark in conference play.

The first half saw plenty of action between the two clubs as Emerson battled their way back from a 10 point deficit with 9 minutes remaining to knot the game at 44. Catherine Cloutier (Methuen, MA) was the main reason for the comeback as the 6 foot sophomore connected on two huge three pointers from the top of the key and added a layup within a two minute gap to cut Rivier's lead to 28-24. The Raiders then proceeded to bring the lead back to 9 after a pair of jumpers from sophomore Shannon Marcoux (Falmouth, MA). Over the final five minutes the Lions went on a 17 to 8 run to close out the stanza.

The second half was at a deadlock halfway through before Guidi's three-pointer jump started a 14-8 run to give the Raiders some breathing room. Emerson would trim the deficit back to just 2 points with 3:47 left but the sharp-shooting Raider attack was able to sustain the lead to earn the victory.

Sophomore Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH) recorded 22 points, her fourth straight game of 20+ points, and junior Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) had 20 to pace the Rivier offense. Junior Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA) also had 11 points as the team shot 44.7% from the field. Baker was perfect from the line as she went 9-for-9.

Kristen Brice (Sophomore/Indiana, PA) recorded a game high 23 points and shot 9-for-17 from the field to lead the Lions (2-4 overall, 0-1 GNAC). Cloutier finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds while junior Elissa Chojnicki (Dover, NH) had 14 to account for all of the double-digit Lion scorers.

Rivier will be back in action on Monday night when they host Lyndon State College in non-conference action at the Muldoon. Game time is set for 7pm. Emerson will host Tufts University on Tuesday night in their next match up at 7pm.