Raiders now 6-0 in the GNAC after overtime thriller

(Boston, MA) The Rivier University Women's Basketball team held off a tough Simmons College squad as they were able to pull out a 67-55 overtime victory to remain undefeated in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play.

The Sharks regained the lead with nine minutes to play in the second half off a three pointer by freshman Jen Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.) but were unable to close out the win in regulation, as the Rivier's Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH) made her final free throw to send the game into overtime.

The Sharks (2-13, 0-5 GNAC) were led by senior Liz O'Connor (Milton, Mass.) with 16 points and Janiak, who hit 4-7 from behind the arc. Simmons freshman Nicole Alberghini (Northborough, Mass.) made her presence known at both ends of court, recording six offensive and three defensive rebounds, respectively.

The sophomore Purcell scored a game high 25 points and recorded eight rebounds to pace the Raiders offense. Junior Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) added 13 points and classmate AJ Guidi (Derry, NH) added 12. Junior Jaclyn Penniman (Dudley, MA) came off the bench to lead the Raiders defense with eight defensive boards.

With the halftime score tied at 23, both teams started the second half with a new fire. After a quick basket by Sharks sophomore Olivia LaCroix (Manchester, N.H.), the Raiders went on a seven-point run before the Sharks found their offense. The Raiders maintained their lead until Janiak buried a three pointer with just over nine minutes remaining to put Simmons up by one, 42-41.

Simmons led by as many as six as the seconds counted down but the Raiders capitalized on the Sharks fouls to bring the score within one with 22 seconds remaining in the game.

With two seconds on the clock, Purcell was awarded two free throws. After missing the first, she sunk the second to send the game into overtime.

It was all Rivier in the extra period; scoring 12 unanswered points to defeat the Sharks, 67-55 and maintain their undefeated GNAC record, 6-0.

The Raiders, now with a 12-5 overall record, will host Suffolk on January 30th in GNAC action. Simmons returns to action on Monday, January 28th when they host GNAC rival Anna Maria at 7:00 p.m.