JWU Women’s Basketball Drops 94-69 Decision Against Rivier

The women's basketball team dropped a 94-69 decision against Rivier in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at the Muldoon Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore Jenna Juron (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) paced Johnson & Wales with 22 points and two rebounds while freshman Natalie DiCocco (Media, Pa.) was also in double figures with 21 points and five assists for the Wildcats.  Sophomore Samantha Hendrick (Castleton-On-Hudson, N.Y.) tallied four points and a game-high 13 rebounds in the setback.

Deanna Purcell led the way for Rivier with 23 points, three rebounds and two assists while Amanda Purcell added 22 points, five boards and four assists in the victory.  Ryan Baker was also in double-figures with 10 points, seven assists and seven rebounds for the Raiders.

The two teams traded baskets early in the game with the score tied 17-17 with just over 12 minutes left in the first half.  Rivier then used a 17-2 run, capped by a layup from Amanda Purcell for the 34-19 lead with 4:57 left on the clock.  Rivier took the 43-29 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.

The host Raiders built on their lead throughout the second half and took their largest lead of the game on a three-pointer by Britney Lane, making the score 82-52 with five minutes left.  Rivier then cruised to the 94-69 victory.

With the loss Johnson & Wales is now 10-15 overall and 6-7 in the GNAC while Rivier improves to to 17-8 overall and 11-2 in league play.  The sixth seeded Wildcats will return to action on Tuesday, February 21st when they travel to third seeded Rivier for the quarterfinals of the 2012 GNAC Women's Basketball Championship at 7:00 p.m.