Grumblatt Sets Career High as Women’s Basketball Cruises Past Lasell, 83-64

NEWTON, Mass. — Graduate student Lyric Grumblatt recorded a career-high 46 points to lead the Rivier women's basketball team past Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Lasell, 83-64, on Wednesday evening at the Lasell Athletic Center.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 10-9 (6-2 GNAC), while the Lasers dropped to 10-9 (5-3 GNAC).

Grumblatt and first-year Sydney Perry combined for eight of Rivier's first 11 points, helping the Raiders jump out to an early 11-6 lead at the 4:48 mark of the first quarter. Lasell fought back to tie the game at 13 apiece before Grumblatt responded with six straight points to give Rivier a 19-16 lead at the end of the quarter.

Senior Alexa Dufries knocked down a three-pointer to ignite a 13-0 Raiders run, pushing their advantage to 37-21 with just under two minutes remaining in the first half and forcing Lasell into a timeout. The Lasers responded with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit, but Grumblatt sank a pair of free throws to bring her total to 25 points and send Rivier into halftime with a 39-28 lead.

The Raiders opened the second half with a 7-2 run, capped by a pull-up jumper from graduate student Hannah Muchemore, extending their lead to 46-30 at the 7:20 mark of the third quarter. Lasell trimmed the deficit to 10, but Perry converted an and-one layup, and Grumblatt drilled a three-pointer to reestablish a 16-point cushion. Grumblatt closed out the quarter in dominant fashion, scoring Rivier's final 11 points as the Raiders took a 63-48 lead into the final frame.

Five straight points from Dufries extended the Raiders' lead to 21, making it 71-50 with 6:28 left in the game. The teams continued to trade baskets before Grumblatt capped off her night with five straight points, bringing her total to 46 at the 1:53 mark and sealing Rivier's 83-64 victory.

Grumblatt shot an efficient 18-of-30 (60%) on her way to a career-high 46 points, while also adding seven rebounds and four steals. Dufries followed with 14 points and three rebounds. Perry contributed eight points and seven rebounds. Muchemore added eight points and dished out a team-high seven assists.

The Raiders used 15 assists compared to Lasell's eight to record their highest scoring total of the season at 83 points. Rivier also outperformed Lasell 28-13 in points off turnovers, 16-10 in second-chance points, and 36-26 in points in the paint.

The Raiders are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 1 for a GNAC road matchup against JWU (Providence) at the Wildcat Center. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.