Women’s Basketball Falls in Close Contest at JWU (Providence), 66-61

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rivier women's basketball team came up short in a contested Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup against JWU (Providence) on Saturday afternoon, falling 66-61 at the Wildcat Center.

With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 10-10 (6-3 GNAC), while the Wildcats improved to 16-2 (7-1 GNAC).

The Wildcats took control early, jumping out to a 12-3 lead at the 5:55 mark of the first quarter. A quick 7-2 run highlighted by baskets from graduate student teammates Hannah Muchemore and Lyric Grumblatt pulled the Raiders back within a possession at 13-10. The Wildcats responded to regain their nine-point cushion, but a Muchemore jumper and a pair of free throws from sophomore Alyssa Scharn trimmed the deficit to 19-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams traded baskets in the opening minutes of the second quarter as the Raiders continued to battle back. A jumper from first-year Sydney Perry and two layups from Grumblatt cut the lead to three at 32-29. JWU (Providence) answered, scoring on back-to-back baskets to take a 36-30 advantage into the halftime break.

Senior Alexa Dufries provided a spark to start the third quarter, scoring seven straight points, but the Raiders still trailed 43-37 with just under seven minutes left in the period. Muchemore then matched Dufries' run with seven straight points of her own. A crucial and-one layup from Grumblatt in the closing moments of the quarter gave Rivier its first lead of the night, 50-48, heading into the fourth.

Grumblatt stayed hot to open the final frame, pouring in eight straight points for the Raiders. The Wildcats remained composed, eventually tying the game at 61-61 with 1:28 remaining. A late scoop-and-score from the Wildcats put them back in front, and they held on down the stretch to secure the 66-61 victory.

Grumblatt led the Raiders, finishing with 26 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Muchemore followed with 19 points and four rebounds, while Dufries and Scharn each contributed seven points.

The Raiders aim to bounce back in GNAC play as they get set to take on Saint Joseph's (Me.) on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Harold Alfond Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.