Rivier Beats Women's Basketball in Conference Matchup

NASHUA, N.H. - The Elms College Women's Basketball traveled to Rivier University in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup Tuesday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 55 | Rivier University 80
Records: Blazers 3-10, 0-2 (GNAC) | Raiders 5-7, 1-0 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rivier University would be the first to score up to three points, but Elms would answer back with a jump shot from first year forward/center Mary Turco (Somervillie, Mass.) assisted by graduate student guard Rahmia Johnston (Newtown, Conn). After five more points made by the Raiders, the Blazers closed the gap when Johnson made a three point jump shot assisted by sophomore guard Jade Lewis (Orlando, Fla.). After a team deadball rebound, Turco would make a free throw. After a back and forth run, Lewis would look for Turco, who then made another layup to the basket. As Rivier held the lead, Lewis would steal the ball, however even with a long offensive possession, they were not able to put up any points. Until, junior forward/center Talia Uribe (South Hadley, Mass.) made two free throws. After an offensive possession by the Raiders, junior guard Kelly LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) would cause a turnover, but before the Blazers could respond Rivier would take back possession. However, Elms answered back and LeBel would make a jump shot with a little over a minute left in the first quarter. Then junior guard Piper Graham (Lancaster, Penn.) would look to Turco for a layup. To end the first quarter Graham would make two free throws, which would be the last two points of the quarter. At the start of the second quarter, Elms would start off strong putting the first three points made by Johnson with a three point jump shot and assisted by Turco. Rivier would have another strong offensive hold until Lebel put up another three-point jump shot for the Blazers, which was assisted by Turco. The ball would go back and forth until LeBel made a free throw followed by a layup assisted by Johnson. After a foul made by the Raiders, Johnson would attempt to make two free throws, which would both go in, adding another two points for the Blazers. With Rivier having the ball Turco would block them causing Uribe to rebound the ball giving Elms offensive possession. After another back and forth possession, Turco would get the ball to drive the ball to the basket making another layup. Then Johnson would steal back the ball, but was unfortunately turned over. The first half would end with Rivier leading Elms 54-29. 

As the teams came back on the court, we would witness a similar start that was made in the first half, where the Raiders would put up the first points on the board. However, the Blazers would answer back with a defensive rebound made by Uribe. This would then cause Rivier to foul Graham. Graham would then make one out of the two free throw attempts. After another back and forth possession between both teams Uribe would make a layup. After a foul committed by the Rivier defense, sophomore guard/forward Sophia Andrade (Southwick, Mass) would miss a layup attempt, but Uribe would collect the offensive rebound and successfully make the tip-in. Then, after missed shots made by both teams, another foul was made by the Rivier defense, sophomore guard/forward Shea Barron (Wallingford, Conn.) would make one out of the two free throw attempts. Andrade would then steal the ball from the Raiders offense, but unfortunately their defense would rebound the ball after a missed jump shot made by the Blazers. After another foul made by the Raiders, Barron would make both free throw shots making the score 72-37 with a little under four minutes left in the third quarter. Then, LeBel would get a defensive rebound, which would then give Johnson the opportunity to make a layup. Then LeBel would steal the ball from the Rivier's offense, but would be fouled. However, LeBel would make both free throws, putting two points on the board for Elms. Turco would make a block and steal the ball from the Raider's offense, but after a missed layup, the Raiders would steal back the ball. But then LeBel would steal back the ball and make a layup. With one last steal made by LeBel and a missed shot made by the Elms offense, Rivier was able to have one last layup to close the third quarter. Rivier starts the final quarter with the ball, but misses the jump shot. With another back and forth possession Johnson was able to make a layup. Johnson would steal back the ball, which made the Raider's defense foul Lewis, who then made both free throw shots. After another back and forth possession between both teams, the Raiders would foul the Blazers once again. Even with a missed layup, the Blazers offense was back to rebound the ball giving Johnson the chance to make a three point jump shot, which was assisted by Uribe. After trading possession, once again the Rivier defense would foul and Turco was able to make both free throw attempts, adding two more points for Elms. Then the Raiders would foul again and junior forward Ta'Niyah Scott (Towson, Md.) would make one out of the two free throw attempts for the Blazers. After back and forth possession between both teams, Elms was able to get the ball and first year forward Stephanie Mildner (Sterling, Penn.) would look to first year guard Phonia Guerrier (Springfield, Mass.) to make a layup. This would be the last point of the game for both teams. Unfortunately, the Blazers fell short to the Raiders and Rivier would defeat Elms 80-55.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Johnston - 15 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

• LeBel - 12 points, four rebounds, and four steals.

• Turco - 11 points, six steals, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks.

• Uribe - 10 rebounds, six points, and an assist.

• Graham - three points, a rebound, and an assist.

• Barron - three points.

• Lewis - three rebounds, two points, two assists, and a steal.

• Guerrier - two points.

• Scott - one point.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Basketball team will travel to Franklin, Mass. to take on Dean College in a conference matchup on Saturday, January 7th at 3 pm.

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