(Nashua, NH) Playing in their first ever home playoff game, the Rivier College Women's Basketball team made it a memorable one as they defeated visiting Johnson and Wales University, 67-58 in front of a vociferous crowd inside the Muldoon Gymnasium.
The Raiders (18-8 overall) got off to a hot start as they rolled off a 13-2 run to begin the game. Senior Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH) knocked down two of her five three pointers as Rivier took control early. However the Wildcats would answer back clawing back to within six with about 5 minutes remaining but the Raiders held a 9 point as the buzzer sounded.
Rivier Head Coach Paul Williams made some great halftime adjustments and it showed over the first 10 minutes of the 2nd stanza. The Raiders caught fire and went on a 27-14 run to build a 22 point lead.
Johnson and Wales (10-17 overall) would rally back and cut the deficit down to 7 points with 1:36 remaining. In the end, it was the Raiders who would hold on and advance to their first Semifinal game in history.
Rivier was led by the sharpshooting sister duo of Amandra and Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH). The pair combined for 39 points, 18 and 21 points respectively, while shooting 48.8% from the floor. Amandra was 5-for-10 from beyond the arc as she added to her GNAC record for three pointers in a single season. Sophomore Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA) added 11 points off the bench. The star of the game was easily sophomore Jaclyn Penniman (Dudley, MA). She recorded 7 blocks on the night and collected 17 rebounds. Classmate Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) ran the point very efficiently as she had 10 assists along with 8 points.
Rivier did a terrific job shutting down JWU's leading scorer sophomore Jenna Juron (Burnt Hills, NY). Juron failed to record a single point on the night. The Wildcats received solid efforts out of juniors Ayla Walter (Mt. Pleasant, SC), Marina Millian (Monroe, NY) and freshman Natalie DiCocco (Media, PA). Each recorded double digit nights while Walter was the leading scorer with 18 points. She also pulled down 12 rebounds to become the game's only double-double performer.
With the win, Rivier will travel up to Standish, Maine where they will take on a tough Saint Joseph's College team led by Ashley Geel. The Monks were victorious in their Quarterfinal match-up against Albertus Magnus winning by a 89-51 final. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30pm on Thursday (2/23) night. You can watch the game live by visiting the Saint Joseph's College Athletics website.
