Rivier's Gianna Donato, shown earlier this season, had a career high 30 points in the Raiders OT loss to Wheaton on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – The Rivier University women’s basketball team fell 84-81 in an overtime thriller against non-conference foe Wheaton (Mass.) on Saturday afternoon in the Muldoon Center, despite a career-high 30 points by Gianna Donato.

With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 0-3, while the Lyons improved to 1-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both sides traded baskets early before Wheaton found its rhythm, closing the first quarter on a 19-3 run to take a commanding 26-9 lead.

Sophomore Sydney Perry opened the second frame with a layup, followed by a three-pointer from graduate student Juju Nealy to give the Raiders some early momentum.

Wheaton answered back with a 6-4 run of there to maintain their 34-18 lead.

Sparked by a layup from Erika Fantauzzi and capped by an and-one finish from sophomore Donato, the Raiders pulled within seven midway through the frame, 34-27.

The Lyons maintained an 11-point lead going into the break, 43-32.

Perry and Donato combined for 11 of Rivier’s 16 third-quarter points, but the Lyons still carried a 15-point lead into the final 10 minutes.

Rivier outscored Wheaton (Mass.) 26-11 in the final frame to force OT.

Nealy knocked down a three-pointer to set the tone for Rivier, and Donato followed by stringing together a series of layups to fuel a 10-4 run that brought the Raiders within eight midway through the fourth.

Off steals by junior Mia Fantauzzi, Donato, and Perry in the closing minutes, the Raiders capitalized and trimmed the deficit to two, 74-72

First-year Madi Ricker grabbed an offensive rebound and drew a foul, then knocked down both free throws to force overtime.

Wheaton (Mass.) struck first in the extra frame, knocking down two free throws.

Perry tied the game at 76-76 with a tip-in layup at the 2:00 mark, but the Lyons responded with back-to-back layups to take a four-point lead.

Fantauzzi drained a corner three-pointer to pull the Raiders within one with 52 seconds remaining. Out of a timeout, the Raiders once again found Donato for a layup, giving them a one-point lead with 23 seconds left.

The Lyons capitalized out of their timeout to take a one-point lead and sealed the 84-81 victory with a pair of free throws.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Rivier out rebounded Wheaton (Mass.) 42-28..Donato scored a career-high 30 points, shooting 50% from the field…Perry recorded a double-double with 24 points and 16 rebounds.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to action on Tuesday against non-conference opponent Brandeis at the Muldoon Center, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

COLBY 77, RIVIER 67

With the non-conference loss at the Muldoon, the Raiders fell to 2-2, while Colby improved to 1-0.

Colby opened the game with an early 7-0 run, but Rivier responded with a jumper from senior Robenson Baguidy to settle in offensively.

The Raiders chipped away throughout the opening minutes behind a three from sophomore Steph Barnes and interior scoring from first-year Daylen Dalcour, eventually closing the deficit to 13-9.

Baguidy provided a lift midway through the first half attacking the paint, giving Rivier its first lead of the contest. The Raiders limited the Mules to just three made three-pointers in the half and stayed within striking distance, trailing only 33-31 at the break.

Rivier started the second half with momentum as sophomore Matt Youngquist and senior Izaiah Shaw-Glen scored on multiple drives to keep the game within two

A fast break finish from junior Theo Briscoe IV gave the Raiders their first lead of the second half at 45-44.

The teams traded baskets over the next several minutes, with Shaw-Glen leading the way offensively with eight points to stay within three, 65-62

Colby surged for a 12-3 late in the half, highlighted by a three and three inside scores from to move ahead 77-65.

The Mules closed out the game at the free-throw line to seal the 77-67 result.

Baguidy led the offensive charge with 20 points on 45% shooting, adding eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Shaw-Glen and Dalcour followed closely behind with 16 and 12 points respectively, while Shaw-Glen added seven rebounds, four assists, and a block

The Raiders travel north for their next matchup as they are set to take on non-conference opponents the University of New England on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Coach Beaudry’s Court.

MEN’S HOCKEY

FITCHBURG STATE 6, RIVIER 1

The Raider dropped their first Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game at Conway Arena. With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 0-6 (0-1 MASCAC), while the Falcons improved to 2-4 (1-0 MASCAC).

The Falcons tallied three goals in the first period to take a 3-0 lead, two on power plays. In the second, despite Rivier’s 11 shots on net, the Falcons kept them scoreless while knocking in two more to take a 5-0 lead into the final frame.

Sophomore Damon Kiyawasew scored the Raiders’ lone goal on a power play 4:56 minutes into the final frame, connecting with first-year Brayden Deschamps and Aaron Sawicki.

The Falcons responded less than a minute later to extend their lead to 6-1.

The Falcons outshot the Raiders 43-31. Junior goaltender Mason Meyer recorded 37 saves while Fitchburg controlled the faceoffs 39-30.

The Raiders return to action at Conway Arena for another MASCAC matchup against Salem St. on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

WORCESTER STATE 1, RIVIER 0

The Raiders suffered their first MASCAC loss at the Worcester Ice Center, as they dropped to 2-3-0 (2-1-0 MASCAC), while the Lacers improved to 4-2-0 (3-0-0 MASCAC).

Rivier opened the contest with a powerplay opportunity, with first-year Mary Kelley recording the best chance over the two-minute stretch.

The Raiders earned two more powerplay opportunities in the first period, but were unsuccessful, leaving both teams scoreless after one. Both squads continued to trade scoring chances in the second stanza, but were unable to convert, with Rivier holding an edge in shots on target, 13-9.

Worcester St. scored the game winning tally at 10:17 into the third period.

Riv junior goalie Taylor Bruno logged 40 saves in net, while first-year player Casey Roth recorded a team-high seven shots in the outing.

The Raiders return to action Frida for a matchup with MASCAC foe MCLA at 7 p.m. at Conway Arena.