Rivier's Lyric Grumblatt goes up for two of her team-high 20 point over Fisher College's Misha O'Neal during the Raiders' 77-70 season opening win Wednesday night in Nashua. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – In their first game in nearly two years, maybe the Rivier University women’s basketball team learned a little more than it planned on Wednesday night.

The Raiders looked to have a win over Fisher College salted away in their season opener, spurred on by the crowed and atmosphere and up 70-59 with just over three minutes to go.

Well the Falcons had other ideas, went on an 11-0 run to tie the game at 71 with 1:32 left before the Raiders puled away for a 77-70 win.

“We learned a lot in this game,” Purcell said. “I think not having a scrimmage really showed in executing on offense and defense. Our girls are young, we figured out down the stretch how to win a close game. It was ugly but it’s a win, and we’ll take it.”

And they’ll take being back on the floor for games that matter, after the pandemic reduced their 2020-21 season to practices , etc. Purcell has a young team with six freshmen and five sophomores, but when it mattered most, a senior made the big plays down the stretch.

The Raiders were up 71-70 with 34 seconds left but Fisher had a chance to take the lead before Pinkerton Academy alum Cydney Lessard stole the ball and sank two free throws to expand the lead to 73-70. Riv never looked back.

“Senior leadership,” Purcell said. “We’re young, lot of freshmen and sophomores, but our two seniors (Ciera Clark, eight points) know how to lead their team down the stretch when we need a big play or just calm down and regroup. That’s what they’re good for, and they showed it today.”

While Lessard had 11 points and Alexa Dufries added 18, former Manchester Memorial standout Lyric Grumblatt had 20 points, including a buzzer beating 3-pointer to end the half with Riv up 40-32, and then the go ahead free throw with 1:11 to play and three more points down the stretch. Much was made when Riv recruited her two years ago, and she’s the real deal for the Raiders as she also added four rebounds, two assists and five steals to the cause.

“She is,” Purcell said. “She is so good and she’s such a humble, unselfish player, it’s fun to watch her play and watch her teammates around her play better when she’s on the floor. She makes everybody better.”

Fisher hung around the whole night, though, thanks to a game-high 27 points from senior guard Misha O’Neal. The Raiders countered that with 11 3-pointers (11 of 23), including 4 of 7 from Dufries.

O’Neal tried to tie the game again with a 3-point attempt with just under 20 seconds to play, but fired up a rare air ball. Riv clamped down defensively and Grumblatt hit the deck on the ensuing possession for a key flagrant foul call.

“We have to learn how to close out a game,” Purcell said. “We had them up 12 or 14 at one point. We have to learn how to close the door, put a team away and not let it get so close.”

This was Purcell’s first win as the official head coach, as she did run the team on an interim level two years ago. And, of course, it was the Raiders’ first game since then.

“It felt so good,” Purcell said. “It feels like we’re finally getting Rivier back on the map. Support from the student body, fans from the city of Nashua … It’s really fun. A good environment.”

And maybe more dramatic than planned.