NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Despite jumping out to an early 17-5 lead, the Norwich University women's basketball team could not put away a pesky Rivier College squad, dropping a hard-fought conference contest 75-74 Monday at Andrews Gymnasium.

Deanna Purcell scored a game-high 27 points for Rivier (9-6, 3-1 GNAC) on 8-of-14 shooting. She also knocked down 11 of 13 free throws.  Erin Sweeney added a 19-point effort for the Raiders, including two big three-pointers in the second half.

The Cadets 6-9 (1-3) were paced by freshman guard Aliah Curry's (Windsor, Mass.) 26 points, her ninth straight game in double figures. She has surpassed the 20-point plateau in six of the team's last seven games. For the contest the freshman guard shot a stellar 7-of-13 from behind the arc.

Junior forward Jessalyn Sweeney (Standfordville, N.Y.) contributed a strong effort for NU, producing a double-double with 15 points and pulling down a team-high 14 rebounds. Senior forward Jocelyn Fasulo (Contoocock, N.H.) chipped in a double-double, too, with 10 points and 11 boards.

The Cadets look to snap a two-game slide, as they host Albertus Magnus Jan. 18 at Andrews Gymnasium. The conference clash is set to tip off at 7 p.m.