BALANCED ATTACK LEADS SAINTS OVER RIV ON SENIOR DAY

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College eased past Rivier University, 81-66, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's basketball game played in the Jean Yawkey Center on Saturday afternoon.  The two Emmanuel senior captains, Jasmine Burwell (Brentwood, N.Y.) and Liz Daley (Sharon, Mass.) were honored prior to tip-off. View the Senior Day PHOTOGALLERY.

The Saints dominated the action throughout, leading end-to-end in a contest set to determine first place in the conference standings.  The win for Emmanuel keeps the Saints unbeaten in GNAC action at 9-0 and improves the team to 17-6 on the season.  Rivier drops to 17-6 overall and 7-2 in conference play with the loss.

The Saints powered out to a double-figure lead after consecutive hoops scored by Britni Mikulanecz (Portland, Me.) and Vanessa Bramante (Stoneham, Mass.), as the hosts led 14-4 just seven minutes into the action.

Tough Emmanuel defense held Rivier to just two field goals and less than 15% field goal shooting through the first fourteen minutes of the game. Senior guard AJ Guidi (Derry, N.H.) knocked down a three to bring the Rivier total to 11 points, as the Raiders trailed, 24-11, late in the first half.

A backboard three from the top of the key by Bramante, followed by a baseline jumper by Sarah Schemerhorn (Los Angeles, Calif.), gave Emmanuel a 32-11 lead nearing the two-minute mark.  The Raiders hit several from the line before the first half ended and Emmanuel was held to just one free throw over the final two minutes, as the Saints carried their solid double-figure advantage into the locker room at halftime, up 33-19.

Bramante led all scorers and rebounders at the break with her 10 points and 6 boards in just 12 minutes of action.  Junior guard Deanna Purcell (Hudson, N.H.) netted 7 first-half points to lead Rivier, who shot a dismal 16% (4-25) in the opening stanza.

The Saints built their lead up to twenty points, 44-24, early in the second half, after seven quick points from Sarah Higgins (Groveland, Mass.).  The Raiders used a baseline three, followed by another deep trifecta from Guidi to bring the spread to 55-40 with just under 11 minutes remaining.

Emmanuel then went on a 7-0 run, which included a three from Olivia Marks (Canterbury, Conn.), to surge back out in front 62-40 at the ten-minute mark.  Mikulanecz hit from long range to put the hosts up 65-42.

The Raiders were able to cut their deficit to 17 later in the half, but Daley dialed in from downtown and the Saints again extended their lead back up to twenty at 72-52 with five minutes left.

Twelve different Saints scored baskets in the win and the Emmanuel's versatility was too much for the Raiders, as the hosts pulled out the 81-66 victory to remain on top in the conference standings.

Higgins' 15 points led the way for EC.  Bramante finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds and Burwell recorded a near double-double with a season-high 12 points and 9 boards.  Schemerhorn dished out 5 assists in the win.

Guidi finished with 18 points to lead Rivier, while Purcell and Jaclyn Penniman (Dudley, Mass.) hit for 17 and 16 points, respectively, to complete a trio of double-figure scorers for the Raiders.

Emmanuel will return to the court on Tuesday (2/18), when the Saints host the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University in a 5:30 PM start.  Rivier also plays on Tuesday, when the Raiders hosts Simmons College in a 7:00 PM start.