Women’s Basketball Uses 35 Points from Grumblatt to Soar Past NEC, 87-59

HENNIKER, N.H. – The Rivier women's basketball team got out to a 59-15 halftime lead and never looked back as the squad downed New England College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play by a final score of 87-59 on Saturday afternoon at Bridges Gym.

Senior guard Lyric Grumblatt went off for a season-best 35 points in the triumph, boosting the Raiders to a record of 4-8 (2-1 GNAC) while the Pilgrims fell to 6-7 (1-2 GNAC).

Rivier got out to a 30-6 lead by the end of the first quarter with Grumblatt scoring 20 points on perfect 4-for-4 on three-point attempts.

The squad kept up its pace in the second, pouring in 29 points with 15 coming from Alexa Dufries as the Raiders held a 59-15 halftime advantage.

The Pilgrims would outscore Rivier in the final two quarters, but Rivier's cushion would prove to be enough as the visitors held on for their second-straight GNAC victory.

Despite being outrebounded by nine, Rivier led in most other statistical categories, shooting 44.3% from the field, 35.5% from deep, and 66.7% from the line, notching 22 assists, 14 steals, and two blocks.

Four Raiders, Grumblatt (35), Dufries (22), Anna Stenger (14), and Rachel Guinn (11), each finished with double-digit point totals.

Rivier will return to action on Monday, Jan. 8 in a road matchup against Bates with a 5:00 p.m. tip-off scheduled at Alumni Gym.