Women's Basketball Grabs 74-69 Win in GNAC Opener at Rivier

NASHUA, N.H. — The Rivier women's basketball team fell to Emmanuel in its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener on Saturday afternoon at home in Muldoon Gymnasium. 

The Raiders are now 2-7 overall and 0-1 in conference, while the Saints move to 3-4 overall and 1-0 in GNAC play.  

Riv trailed Emmanuel by one going into the second half, before taking its first lead early in the third. 

Heading into the final 10 minutes, the score was knotted at 49-49. The Saints quickly grabbed the lead early in the fourth to carve out the victory in the first conference contest. 

To push past the Raiders, Desiree Robinson of the Saints went 6-8 from the field collecting a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Paris Atuahene and Olivia Matela were a huge part of Emmanuel's offense as well, each tallying 16 points. 

Despite the loss,Lyric Grumblatt totaled 26 points, nine rebounds, two steals, while drawing seven fouls on the day, leading the Raiders on both sides of the court. Rachel Guinn got the start for Rivier this afternoon, burying six threes, tacking on 20 points with nine rebounds, two assists, and one block. Both Alexa Dufries and Anna Stenger totaled 10 points. 

From the field, Emmanuel shot 38.7%, while Riv shot 30.4%. At the line, the Saints went 23-30 (76.7%), with the Raiders surpassing, going 14-17 (82.4%). 

Rivier will travel to Framingham St. for a non-conference matchup on Thursday, Dec. 7, tipping off at 5:30 p.m. The Saints welcome No. 11 Tritiny to Yosinoff Court on Dec. 5 at 7:00 p.m.

** Release courtesy Rivier University Athletic Communications Office