2nd Half surge propels Women's Basketball past Albertus Magnus

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Women's Basketball team defeated the visiting Albertus Magnus College Falcons, 61-44, in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference season opener this evening at the Muldoon Gymnasium. With the win, the Raiders improve to 4-7 (1-0 GNAC) in the conference while Albertus Magnus fell to 5-6 on the year (0-1 GNAC) in the conference.

Using home court to their advantage, the Raiders quickly took the game to Albertus Magnus using a 10-0 run to begin the game. Despite the quick start, the Falcons battled back with a run of their own, outscoring the Raiders 26-11 to finish out the first half.

The Raiders, finding themselves down, came alive in the second, outscoring the Falcons 40-18 to claim their first conference win of the season. Led by senior Deanna Purcell (Hudson, N.H.) (19 points, 10 rebounds) and sophomore Savanna Butterfield (Londonderry, N.H.) (14 points, 8 rebounds) the Raiders, using their speed and toughness, were too much for the visiting Falcons to handle.

Rivier also had good performances turned in from sophomore guards Caitlyn Perry (Nashua, N.H) and Caitlin Bulger (Quincy, Mass.) who combined for a total of 20 points and 9 assists. Coming off of the bench for the Raiders, was sophomore forward Chelsea Hussey (Lebanon, Conn.) who played the boards tough all night, securing 8 rebounds to go with 6 points on 3 of 6 shooting.

Junior Kelsey Pandagast (Shelton, Conn.) played tough for the Falcons adding a team high 13 points while also grabbing a game high 15 rebounds. Junior forward Chelsea Sherrod (Bridgeport, Conn.) also played well, scoring 9 points while securing 9 rebounds.

For their next contest, the Rivier Women's Basketball Team will host the Fitchburg State Falcons  in a non-conference matchup at the Muldoon Gymnasium (Thursday, January 15^th, at 7:00 pm.) Albertus Magnus College will host the Manhattanville College Valiants at the Cosgrove Marcus Messer Athletic Center January 8^th, at 7:00pm.