NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's basketball team fell 84–81 in an overtime thriller against non-conference foe Wheaton (Mass.) on Saturday afternoon in the Muldoon Center.

With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 0-3, while the Lyons improved to 1-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both sides traded baskets early before Wheaton found its rhythm, closing the first quarter on a 19–3 run to take a commanding 26–9 lead.
• Sophomore Sydney Perry opened the second frame with a layup, followed by a three-pointer from graduate student Juju Nealy to give the Raiders some early momentum.
• Wheaton answered back with a 6-4 run of their own to maintain its 34-18 lead. 
• Sparked by a layup from Erika Fantauzzi and capped by an and-one finish from sophomore Gianna Donato, the Raiders pulled within seven mid-way through the frame, 34–27.
• The Lyons maintained an 11-point lead going into the break, 43-32. 
• Perry and Donato combined for 11 of Rivier's 16 third-quarter points, but the Lyons still carried a 15-point lead into the final 10 minutes.
• Rivier outscored Wheaton (Mass.) 26-11 in the final frame of regulation to force OT.
• Nealy knocked down a three-pointer to set the tone for Rivier, and Donato followed by stringing together a series of layups to fuel a 10–4 run that brought the Raiders within eight midway through the fourth.
• Off steals by junior Mia Fantauzzi, Donato, and Perry in the closing minutes, the Raiders capitalized and trimmed the deficit to two, 74–72
• First-year Madi Ricker grabbed an offensive rebound and drew a foul, then knocked down both free throws to force overtime.
• Wheaton (Mass.) struck first in the extra frame, knocking down two free throws.
• Perry tied the game at 76–76 with a tip-in layup at the 2:00 mark, but the Lyons responded with back-to-back layups to take a four-point lead.
• M. Fantauzzi drained a corner three-pointer to pull the Raiders within one with 52 seconds remaining.
• Out of a timeout, the Raiders once again found Donato for a layup, giving them a one-point lead with 23 seconds left.
• The Lyons capitalized out of their timeout to take a one-point lead and sealed the 84–81 victory with a pair of free throws.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

• Rivier out-rebounded Wheaton (Mass.) 42-28
• Donato scored a career-high 30 points, shooting 50% from the field. 
• Perry recorded a double-double with 24 points and 16 rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Raiders return to action on Tuesday, November 18, against non-conference opponent Brandeis at the Muldoon Center, with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m.