PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's basketball boasts a 6-0 record to this point in the season, which marks the best start in program history since records began with the 1973-74 season. The Valiants notched that sixth victory Saturday afternoon, Dec. 1, over Rivier University by a score of 71-56 at Kennedy Gymnasium.
Manhattanville (6-0) was led by senior Kayleah McGuire once again as she finished with a team-best 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. She is now just 34 points away from becoming the 16th 1,000-point scorer in program history.
The Valiants started off the game against the Raiders (1-7) quickly, jumping out to a 12-0 lead with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter. Rivier was able to make it a competitive game thereafter, though, and the score was 19-16 in favor of the home squad at the end of the first. Manhattanville was able to get out to another 12-point lead with 2:31 left in the first half following a three-pointer from sophomore guard Spencer Shore. The Raiders closed out the final 2:06 of the second quarter on a 7-2 run to trim the Valiants lead to seven at 36-29.
In the third quarter, Manhattanville managed to take an 18-point advantage following a layup from McGuire with 1:54 left and a pair of free-throws from freshman Jada Rencher at 1:32. Rivier went on another quarter-closing 7-2 run to bring it down to a 13-point lead for the Valiants at 59-46. Manhattanville maintained that lead, stretching it out another two points, en route to the 15-point victory. The Valiants dominated the ball defensively, forcing 28 Raider turnovers, and converted those into 29 points.
Highlights:
- Sophomore guard Sarah Coutu finished with 17 points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals.
- Rookie guard Faith Johnson-Desilva played 22 minutes off the bench and scored nine points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists.
- Freshman Ali Mikaele chipped in eight points and a pair of steals.
Manhattanville returns to the court for the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom opener at Delaware Valley University this Wednesday, Dec. 5, in Doylestown, Pa. The women will follow the men's game and are scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m.