Women's Basketball gets tripped up by Emmanuel, 100-84

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier Women's Basketball team fell to the visiting Emmanuel College Saints 100-84, this evening at the Muldoon Gymnasium. With the loss, the Raiders drop to 5-8 on the year (2-1 GNAC). Emmanuel College improves to 8-8 (3-0 GNAC).

Rivier's aggressive and quick play, was the main difference in the first half of this GNAC showdown. The Raiders drove to the net, pushed the pace, and ultimately, made the Saints play in a manner in which they usually wouldn't.

Leading the attack for the Raiders, was sophomore guard Caitlyn Perry (Nashua, N.H.). Perry was a thorn in the back for the visiting Saints. In the first half, Perry, who scored a game high 20 points, went to the line a total of 9 times, converting all of her attempts. As a team, the Raiders scored 18 points from the charity strike. Their aggressive play, resulted in 13 team fouls in the first half alone. Senior Deanna Purcell (Hudson, N.H.) also contributed to her team's cause, adding 12 points and 5 rebounds.

Senior forward Vanessa Bramante (Stoneham, Mass.) played well for the Saints in the first half, scoring 10 points, securing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists. Junior guard Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.) was also able to play well for Emmanuel, scoring 6 points and recording 6 assists. Despite Rivier's dominance from the line, the Raiders only found themselves up 48-42 heading into halftime.

The second half, however, had a much different feeling than the first. The Saints were able to push back the Raiders, and began attacking the rim themselves. Emmanuel's speed, aggressiveness, and pace led them back from the 6 point deficit they faced in the first half.

Jennifer Bujnowski (Salem, N.H.) and Karlee Alves (Ellington, Conn.) played well for the Saints in the second half, as they each finished with 12 points. Sophomore Caitlyn Perry (Nashua, N.H.) finished with a game high 33 points.

For their next contest, the Rivier Women's Basketball team will travel to Salem State University to do battle with the Vikings in a non-conference matchup. The game is scheduled for Thursday, January 22^nd Time to be announced). As for the Emmanuel College Saints, they will next host the Tufts University Jumbos, Wednesday, January 21^st, at 7:00pm. This is a non-conference matchup.