NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's basketball team fell to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponents Norwich, 73-60, Tuesday evening at the Muldoon Center.

With the loss, the Raiders fell to 2-15 (2-2 GNAC), while the Cadets improved to 7-8 (3-0 GNAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sophomore Gianna Donato got things started with a layup off the opening jump however, Norwich countered with a 7-0 run over the span of 1:49.
• The Raiders answered with a 6-0 run to regain the lead 8-7 with 4:03 to play in the first quarter.
• The Cadets added two buckets in the final 1:21 of the opening frame to take an 11-8 lead.
• Junior Erika Fantauzzi began the second quarter with a three to tie the game off a helper from graduate student Juju Nealy.
• Both teams traded one-point leads over a 2:21 stretch with sophomore Hannah Smith finishing a layup to take a 28-27 lead.
• Norwich answered with back-to-back triples, with Nealy connecting on a three in between, before sophomore Sydney Perry follow knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 33.
• The Cadets grabbed a 35-33 lead on their final bucket of the half, but a Nealy's three-pointer with nine second to go flipped the advantage to Rivier, 36-35, heading into halftime.
• The contest mirrored the second quarter, as both teams traded leads to open the second half.
• Both sides traded baskets until junior Emily Coleman broke the 40-40 deadlock with a three-pointer at the 8:30 mark.
• The Cadets got out to as much as a four-point lead in the third quarter, before Nealy knocked down yet another three to cut the deficit to one, 47-46.
• Norwich fought back to their four-point advantage, but a made free throw from Perry brought the Raiders within three at the end of the third quarter.
• The Cadets controlled the pass of play in the final frame, outscoring Rivier 22-12.
• Norwich increased their lead to a 13-point margin with 6:10 to go in the contest.
• The Cadets maintained their double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the game, eventually securing the 73-60 win.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

• Nealy paced the offense with 15 points, including a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line.
• Coleman recorded a career-best 11 points, while contributing three rebounds.
• Perry followed close behind with 10 points and six boards.

UP NEXT
The Raiders return to action Saturday, Jan. 24 for a GNAC matchup with Regis (Mass.). Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Higgins Court.