Basketball Drops GNAC Opener at Rivier, 95-64

NASHUA N.H. – Junior Deanna Purcell (Hudson, N.H.) led the way for Rivier with 23 points and 11 rebounds as the Raiders defeated the University of Saint Joseph 95-64 Saturday in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference basketball opener for the teams.

Rivier improved to 9-2; USJ is 6-7.

Mary Hyde (Derby, Conn.) went 9-for-16 from the floor and scored a team-high 19 points for the Blue Jays and Heather Framski (Prospect, Conn.) had 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. Devon Diliberto (Waterbury, Conn.) added 14 points and eight rebounds and Shauna Sullivan (Rocky Hill, Conn.) dished out six assists.

Rivier scored the first nine points and never trailed. The Blue Jays pulled even twice, the last time at 25-all on a jumper by Lindsey Dionne (Portland, Conn.) with 7:07 left in the first half, but Rivier closed the half strong and led 45-33 at halftime. In the second half, the Blue Jays were within 67-56 after a Framski jumper with nine minutes left, but Rivier ended the game on a 28-8 run.

St. Joseph returns to action Thursday, Jan. 16 with a 5 p.m. game at Westfield State College.