It was a tough night at the Muldoon for the Raider men's hoop team, shown here at a preseason scrimmage with UMass-Lowell. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – The Rivier men’s basketball team dropped its season opener to Fitchburg St., 80-67, Friday evening at the Muldoon Center.

The Raiders hold a record of 0-1 to start the year, while the Falcons moved to 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Fitchburg St. opened the game on a 7-0 run, but Rivier quickly answered with a 13-6 run to tie the game 13-13.

The Falcons regained the lead, but the Raiders fought back once again, tying the game up on a junior Theo Briscoe IV. Fitchburg St. closed out the half on an 8-0 run, taking a 37-29 lead into the break.

The Falcons maintained a 10-point advantage through the first seven minutes of the second half. Midway through the frame, Rivier cut the lead to four with a pair of free throws from senior Izaiah Shaw-Glen.

Fitchburg St. stormed out in front once more, sealing the game 80-67.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Shaw-Glen recorded a team-high 22 points and six rebounds.

Briscoe IV followed with 11 points…Senior Robenson Baguidy recorded a team high four assists.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to action Monday to face off against JWU (Providence). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Wildcat Center.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

SUFFOLK 75, RIVIER 64

The Rivier women’s basketball team fell to the Rams of Suffolk in its season opener Friday night at Smith Court. With the loss, the Raiders open the season 0-1, while the Rams start their 2025-26 campaign at 1-0.

The Raiders started the game 1-0, after a technical foul free throw was made by first-year Madi Ricker. Graduate Student Juju Nealy opened the scoring for the Raiders off a steal and layup, following moments later with a three-pointer tying the game 6-6

Raiders held the early lead going into the first break, 21-18, but the Rams dominated in the second quarter outscoring the Raiders 21-6, going into the halftime break up 12 points, 39-27.

The Rams stayed strong through the third quarter. The Raiders were led in the third quarter by Sophomore Guard Gianna Donato with six points.

The Raiders battled until the end, outscoring the Rams 23-18 in the fourth quarter Nealy played all 10 minutes, bringing in nine points.

The Raiders were led by Nealy with 22 points, Donato with 15 points, and Junior Erika Fantauzzi with 14 points.

Meanwhile, the Rams were dominant on the boards, outrebounding Riv 50-34.The Raiders held a slight edge in points off turnovers, 21-9, and had the advantage in fast break points, 8-2. Sophomore Sydney Perry and Ricker brought in seven rebounds apiece

The Raiders are back in action on Wednesday evening at Framingham State. Tip-off time to be set.

MEN’S HOCKEY

NICHOLS 4, RIVIER 3

The Raiders fell short in overtime, 4-3, on Friday night at Levy Rink, in non-conference play. With the result, the Raiders fell to 0-3, while the Bison improved to 1-2.

Nichols jumped out to a 2-0 lead, scoring on power plays in both the first and second periods. First-year Raider Payton Kender cut the deficit in half 6:27 into the third, assisted by classmates Aaron Sawicki and Mason Rudrud.

Less than a minute later, sophomore Damon Kiyawasew tied the game at 2-2.

Rudrud gave the Raiders their first lead at the 9:29 mark, with assists from Kender and first-year Brayden Deschamps.

The Bison answered on a power play at 11:53 to even the score at 3-3 and force overtime. Nichols secured the 4-3 victory 2:31 in the extra frame.

Nichols outshot Rivier 57-29. Junior Mason Meyer recorded 53 saves between the pipes.

The Raiders are back in action on the road today, taking on Albertus Magnus at Ralph Walker Skating Rink. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m.