Grumblatt's 31-Point Performance Powers Women's Basketball to 70-63 Victory Over Utica

NASHUA, N.H. — Senior Lyric Grumblatt scored 31 points to lead the Raiders on Saturday afternoon at Silloway Gymnasium to a 2-0 finish at the Courtyard by Marriott Classic, clinching a 70-63 victory over Utica.

The win marks the fourth consecutive victory for the Raiders as they improved to 4-5 while the Pioneers dropped to 2-6.

After a sluggish start for both teams, senior Alexa Dufries hit a three-pointer that was followed by a layup from first-year Sydney Perry, giving the Raiders a 5-2 lead with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter. The Pioneers quickly gained control, outscoring the Raiders 20-4 to end the quarter with a 22-9 advantage.

Rivier trailed 27-11 with 9:11 left in the half but responded with a 16-0 run, fueled by Grumblatt and senior Hannah Muchemore, who scored seven and six points, respectively, to tie the game at 27-27 with 5:07 remaining. Both teams struggled to score in the latter stretch of the quarter, but a trio of free throws by Muchemore with four seconds left gave the Raiders a narrow 35-34 lead heading into halftime.

The Raiders opened the second half with an 8-3 run, capped by a layup from sophomore Alyssa Scharn, to take a 43-37 lead with 8:35 left in the third quarter. Utica closed the gap to two, but back-to-back three-pointers from Dufries and Grumblatt, along with a layup from Muchemore, expanded Rivier's lead to 51-41. Both teams kept scoring down the stretch, and with three seconds remaining, senior Rachel Guinn hit a mid-range jumper to give the Raiders a 57-47 lead heading into the final frame.

Grumblatt paced the Raiders in the fourth quarter, scoring all 13 of the team's points as Rivier secured a 70-63 victory.

Grumblatt led the Raiders with 31 points on 11-of-19 (58%) shooting, to go along with eight rebounds and six steals. Muchemore pitched in 17 points on 5-of-10 (50%) shooting, while also recording nine assists and four steals. Dufries added nine points, knocking down three three-pointers.

The Raiders will return from winter break, taking part in the Pearson Memorial Tournament, hosted by Babson. Their first matchup against WPI on Thursday, Jan. 2 with tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Staake Gymnasium.