NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's basketball team dropped a tightly contested non-conference matchup to Gordon College, 64–57, on Tuesday afternoon at the Muldoon Center. 
 
With the loss, the Raiders moved to 0–10 on the season, while the Fighting Scots improved to 3–9. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Rivier opened the game with strong defensive play, forcing Gordon into six first-quarter turnovers and limiting the Fighting Scots to 12 points in the opening frame. 

• Sophomore Gianna Donato got the Raiders on the board early with a strong finish in the paint and scored six of Rivier's first nine points. 

• Rivier continued to attack the basket throughout the first quarter, closing the frame trailing 12–9. 

• The Raiders erupted offensively in the second quarter, shooting 57.1% from the field (8-of-14) to outscore Gordon, 21-15. 

• Rivier used a 14–5 run midway through the quarter, flipping the momentum and take its first lead of the afternoon. 

• Donato powered the surge with multiple finishes inside, while Graduate Student Juju Nealy added key baskets in transition to keep pressure on Gordon's defense. 

• Rivier's ball movement led to quality looks in the paint, as the Raiders continued to capitalize inside and with second-chance opportunities. 

• Defensively, Rivier forced seven Gordon turnovers in the second quarter, converting them into transition chances. 

• The Raiders controlled the tempo late in the half, closing the quarter on a strong note to take a 30-27 lead into halftime. 

• Rivier came out of halftime with confidence, as Donato knocked down a three-pointer in the first possession of the third quarter to continue the Raiders' momentum. 

• The Raiders forced four Gordon turnovers in the first five minutes of the third quarter, converting defensive stops into transition opportunities. 

• Despite Rivier's defensive pressure, Gordon used a late third quarter run to create separation, closing the frame on a  23–12 run to take a  50–42 lead into the fourth. 

• The Raiders refused to back down in the final quarter, opening the fourth on a defensive stand and cutting the deficit to three points following  

• A pair of free throws from Donato. 

• Rivier pulled within four points on a jumper from sophomore Sydney Perry, following a slight offensive surge by the Fighting Scots (59-55) with under two minutes remaining. 

• The Raiders forced Gordon into tough possessions down the stretch, but the Fighting Scots capitalized at the free-throw line, going 5-of-6 in the final minute, securing the 64-57 victory. 

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN 

• Donato led all scorers with 31 points, shooting 12-of-23 from the field while adding 5 rebounds and 2 blocks 

• Nealy finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals 

• First-year Madi Ricker added 7 points and 5 rebounds 

• Rivier outscored Gordon 28–18 in the paint 

• The Raiders forced 23 turnovers and scored 20 points off turnovers 

NEXT UP  

Rivier heads to Springfield, Mass., for the Naismith Classic, beginning tournament action on January 1 with a 5:00 p.m. matchup against host Springfield College.