February 6, 2008
Rivier Edges Eagles In Tense Contest, 79-75

Nashua – Monica White (Augusta, Maine) registered a team high 20 points including five three pointers leading four players in double figures as Rivier edged host Daniel Webster, 79-75 in a tense GNAC women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night.

Jessica Mellen (Rockland, Mass.) added 19 points and nine rebounds, Justine Nims (Weare, N.H.) notched 15 points and Sadie Hardiman (Loudon, N.H.) chipped in with 14 as the Raiders moved to 10-10 overall and 5-4 in GNAC play.

Erin Moseley (Sterling, Mass.) led DWC (9-11, 2-7 GNAC) with a game high 28 points and added nine boards, while Joyce Chagan (Boothbay, Maine) added 15, Sarah Shea (Quincy, Mass.) notched 11 and Alyssa Regan (Salem, N.H.) added 10.

The contest was back and forth throughout with six ties and five lead changes over the final 20 minutes and was in doubt until White knocked down a monster four point play drawing a foul off her final three of the night with 1:28 to play. The play capped a frenetic Raider comeback after trailing by five with four and a half minutes remaining.

The Eagles came out gunning in the first half building a 29-19 lead with 7:22 to go in the opening frame.

But Rivier slowly worked the lead down with a 16-6 run consuming three and half minutes and gained the lead on two Mellen free throws and a Nims trey. The Eagles responded to regain the lead on a Sara Shea layup with 11 seconds left and a 42-41 Eagle lead at the break.

The teams traded leads throughout the second half with neither ever gaining more than a four point edge until a Moseley jumper made it 71-66 Eagles with 4:26 left.

After a Moseley jumper made it 73-69 with 3:16 to go, White answered with her fourth from downtown to cut the lead to one with 2:56 left. Nims gave the Raiders the lead with two free throws at the 2:04 mark setting up White’s dagger.

The Eagles return to action Saturday when they host Norwich in a GNAC matchup beginning at 1:00 p.m. Rivier hosts St. Joseph (Ct.) Saturday at 1:00 p.m.