Baker, Raiders lose a heartbreaker to Emmanuel

(Nashua, NH) The Rivier University Women's Basketball team lost a tough one this evening inside the Muldoon Gymnasium as the visiting Emmanuel College Saints were able to 12 point halftime deficit to win 65-58.

Sophomore Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH) scored 11 of her game high 19 points in the second half to pace the Raider offense. Junior A.J. Guidi (Derry, NH) recorded 15 points – all in the first half – and junior Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) added 8 points in the loss.

The game was a story of two halves as Guidi paced the Raiders attack in the first half as she was able to shoot 4-for-6 from beyond the arc (15 points total). Rivier entered the locker room with a 35-23 advantage.

However, the Saints came out on fire to begin the second stanza. For the opening 5 ½ minutes, Emmanuel embarked on a 17-4 run to knot things up at 40. They would eventually grow the lead to as much as 12 before Rivier went on a run of their own. Trailing by 10 (59-49) with 4:22 remaining, the Raiders chipped away and after a three-pointer from Purcell, were only down 61-58 as the clock showed 1:53 left to play. However the upset wasn't meant to be as the Saints blocked a shot and knocked down four free throws in the final seconds to secure the 65-58 win.

Emmanuel, who improves to 18-5 overall and a perfect 10-0 in the GNAC, was led by Fiona O'Dwyer and Jennifer Bujnowski. The pair combined for 32 points and 19 rebounds – Bujnowski recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Chenae Earle also added 9 points off the bench for the Saints.

Rivier's next opponent will be Framingham State on Thursday night at 7pm here inside the Muldoon Gymnasium. It will also be Senior Night as the team will honor their lone senior, Sarah Howard (East Greenwich, RI). Emmanuel will host the University of Saint Joseph on Tuesday night, beginning at 7 pm.