Falcons Drop Non-Conference Decision To Raiders
Middletown, Conn. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Basketball team dropped a 95-65 decision to the Raiders of Rivier University this afternoon in non-conference action at the 2022 Courtyard By Marriott Classic, hosted by Wesleyan University.
The Basics
Score: Fitchburg State 65, Rivier 95
Records: Fitchburg State (1-4, 0-0 MASCAC) I Rivier (3-2, 0-0 GNAC)
How It Happened
1st quarter
Rivier University opened the contest on an 11-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from sophomore Rachel Guinn (Clinton, Mass.) before Fitchburg State responded as sophomore Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) connected on a layup and three ball to make the score 11-5.
The Falcons trimmed the deficit to 22-16 with newcomer Juliana Davis (Templeton, Mass.) notching a layup, while sophomore Allison Prentis (Mansfield, Mass.) drained a jumper and three-pointer, but the Raiders took a 26-18 advantage as Guinn netted a bucket.
2nd quarter
The Green and Gold battled back to make the score 28-24 as sophomore Ephemian Bailey (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Harlow registered baskets before Rivier answered with a three ball from junior Lyric Grumblatt (Manchester, N.H.) (31-24).
The Raiders pushed the lead to 36-27 on a layup by junior Bea Stafford (Saunderstown, R.I.), but Fitchburg State closed out the half on an 11-0 stretch with junior Olivia Almeida (Wilmington, Mass.) burying a pair from beyond the arc, while Bailey added a bucket and free throw over the run to give the Falcons a 38-36 margin going into the break.
3rd quarter
Following the intermission, Fitchburg State regained the lead 43-42 on a layup from sophomore Morgan Genness (Belkgrade, Maine) and another three ball by Almeida, but Rivier answered with a 7-0 run with Grumblat hitting a put back layup for the 51-45 lead.
The Falcons reduced the lead to 69-53 on a three ball by Genness and a Harlow bucket before the Raiders closed out the third quarter on a basket by sophomore Jessica Carrier (Manchester, N.H.) for the 73-53 advantage.
4th quarter
Rivier upped the lead to 86-57 on a pair of free-throws from junior Anna Stenger (Weare, N.H.) before Almeida knocked down her fourth three-pointer on the afternoon for the Green and Gold (86-60). Freshman Aliza Som (Lowell, Mass.) hit two from the charity stripe, but Guinn secured the victory for the Raiders with a layup, resulting in the 95-65 final.
Inside the Numbers
- Falcons were led by Almeida with a team-best 14 points and four boards
- Harlow chipped in with 13 points six rebounds, four assists and one steal
- For the Raiders, Grumblatt finished with a game-leading 33 points, seven caroms, six assists and two steals
- Stenger added 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a block
- 11th meeting between the two teams on the basketball court with the Falcons 6-5 all-time when taking on the Raiders
- Fitchburg State shot 34-for-61 (39.3%) from the field and (7-of-21) 33.3% from downtown
- Rivier went 34-of-80 (42.5%) overall and (9-for-32) 28.1% for beyond the arc
- Raiders finished with a slim 45-44 margin on the glass
Up Next
Falcons return to action on Tuesday as they host the Beacons of UMass Boston for a non-conference tilt, starting at 5:00 PM.