(Nashua, NH) Four Raiders score in double figures as Rivier cruises to a 19 point victory over visiting Fitchburg State University this evening in front of a sizeable crowd inside the Muldoon Gymnasium.

It was intense tight game through the first 20 minutes as the Falcons (1-4 overall) overcame an 8 point deficit and hold a four point lead with 5:38 remaining. However, Rivier sophomore Shannon Marcoux (Falmouth, MA) would hit her only two 3-pointers down the stretch to give the Raiders a 34-32 lead at the half.

The Raiders (3-2 overall) came out of the locker room blazing to begin the 2nd stanza as they went on a 17-2 run – highlighted by three 3-pointers from sophomore Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH). Purcell scored a game high 26 points as she shot 9-of-15 from the floor – including going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Junior A.J. Guidi (Derry, NH) finished the game with 13 points while classmates Ryan Baker (Whitinsville, MA) and Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA) had 11 each to account for all of the double-digit scorers for Rivier. Marcoux finished with 8 points off the bench and junior Laura Yesu (Longmeadow, MA) had 9 points. Baker also contributed 7 assists and Purcell collected 9 rebounds – both game highs.

Fitchburg State was led by the duo of junior Amy Fahey (Wilmington, MA) and senior Kelsey Johnston (Shirley, MA) who had 14 points apiece. Fahey tied Purcell for the game high with 9 rebounds and sophomore Rebecca Fluet (Fitchburg, MA) had 7 boards in the loss.

The difference in the game was the shooting from beyond the arc as the Raiders went 8-for-23 (34.8%) compared to Fitchburg State's 1.7% (1-for-8).

Rivier will return to the court as they welcome Emerson College for the first Great Northeast Athletic Conference game of the season. Game time is set for 1pm inside the Muldoon Gymnasium. Fitchburg State will be back in action on Tuesday, December 4th when they battle Lasell College in Newton, MA.