Rivier's Sydney Perry, shown earlier in the season, had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Raiders to their first win of the season on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

FRANKLIN, Mass. – The Rivier women’s basketball team opened Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play with a decisive 81-56 victory over Dean College on Saturday afternoon at Pieri Gymnasium.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 1-13 overall and 1-0 in conference action, while the Bulldogs fell to 5-9 overall and 0-1 in the GNAC.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rivier established an early presence inside, taking a 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter behind strong rebounding and paint scoring

Sophomore Sydney Perry set the tone offensively, scoring efficiently around the basket while anchoring the Raiders on the glass. The Raiders continued to build momentum in the second quarter, extending their lead to 35-29 at halftime.

Rivier came out strong after the break, scoring in the first three possessions of the half

The Raiders shot 50 percent from the field in the period, finding success attacking the basket

Graduate student Juju Nealy ignited the offense with timely three-pointers and strong decision-making in transition

Sophomore Gianna Donato took over offensively during the quarter, scoring in multiple ways to keep Dean from closing the gap

Raiders defense held strong throughout the quarter creating fast break opportunities outscoring Dean 24-18 in the third quarter

Rivier locked in defensively in the fourth quarter, holding Dean to just nine points while closing the game on a 22-9 run

The Raiders forced 23 turnovers and capitalized with 28 points off turnovers to put the game away

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Perry led all scorers with 26 points on 13-of-19 shooting while adding 12 rebounds for a double-double

Donato finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five steals

Nealy recorded a near triple-double with 20 points and a team-high 10 assists

Junior Erika Fantauzzi pulled down eight rebounds as Rivier won the rebounding battle, 47-33

Rivier shot 45.9 percent from the field and scored 42 points in the paint

UP NEXT

The Raiders continue GNAC play as they prepare for their next conference matchup, Mitchell College. Tip off is set for Wednesday January 14 at 4:00 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

DEAN 89, RIVIER 78

The Rivier men’s basketball team fell in their GNAC opener at Pieri Gymnasium in Franklin, Mass. With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 7-7 (0-1 GNAC), while the Bulldogs improved to 11-3 (1-0 GNAC).

Rivier opened the scoring, as senior Robenson Baguidy cashed on the early and-one opportunity to take a 3-0 just 27 seconds into the game.

Both teams traded baskets following the opening score, but Dean began to find its offensive rhythm and build separation.

The Bulldogs went on a 23-9 run and took a commanding 32-14 lead just shy of the midway point of the first half. The Raiders started to chip away at Dean’s lead late in the frame, cutting their deficit to 12 with heading into halftime. Sophomore Steph Barnes contributing eight points over that stretch.

Dean continued to surge offensively coming out of the break, increasing their lead to 19 with 17:14 to play.

Rivier sparked a 15-6 run at the 14:47 mark of the second half that began with senior Izaiah Shaw-Glen knocking down a jumper and finished with Baguidy cashing in on a layup to bring the Raiders within 10, 69-59.

The Bulldogs regained momentum once more, maintaining a double-digit lead to the three-minute mark of the second half.

The Raiders chipped away in the final minutes of play, cutting the deficit to six with 1:27 to go.

Despite the comeback bid, Dean hit key free throws down the stretch to secure the 89-78 victory.

Baguidy led the offense with 27 points, adding three rebounds. Shaw-Glen and Barnes followed close behind with 15 and 12 points respectively.

First-year Daylen Dalcour controlled the glass for Rivier, recording nine total rebounds, eight of which were off the offensive glass.

The Raiders return to the court Wednesday for a GNAC matchup with Norwich. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

NAZARETH 3, RIVIER 0

The Rivier men’s volleyball team fell in straight sets to RV Nazareth at the Wildcat Field House in the season opener for both.

Nazareth jumped out to an early lead, forcing Rivier into a timeout at 8-2.

The Raiders responded with kills from junior Tyler Dickinson and sophomore Cade Barron, but the Golden Flyers countered with a 5-1 run.

Nazareth kept their foot on the gas throughout the remainder of the set, taking a 1-0 match lead with a set score of 25-13.

Rivier fought back in the second set, erasing an early deficit with back-to-back service aces by Dickinson and kills from junior Aidan Combs and Baron to tie it at 8-8.

A service ace from Combs and a block by senior Matthew McCloskey gave Rivier its first lead of the contest at 12-11. The Raiders continued to trade points, with four different Raiders delivering key kills late to keep Rivier close.

Despite the surge, a service error ended the comeback bid as Nazareth closed the set 25-23. Rivier played its had its best offensive performance of the match in the third set, hitting .478 and recording 15 kills.

Early blocks from Fitzpatrick and Dickinson set the tone, and kills from Dickinson, Fitzpatrick, and Barron kept the Raiders in control, 9-8.

First-year Everett Boyer added two kills off the bench, and first-years Kenji Clark and Shawn Laduke and junior Justin Barish steadied the offense with multiple assists as Rivier built a 21-19 lead.

The Raiders held match point opportunities at 24-24 and 25-25, but Nazareth capitalized on a late service ace to seal the match 27-25.

Dickinson paced the Raider offense with 7 kills on a .700 hitting percentage and added 3 blocks. Fitzpatrick contributed 8 kills and hit .375, while Barron tallied 9 kills.

Barish led the team with 24 assists, and libero Luis Cruz chipped in with 5 digs along with Barron.

As a team, Rivier finished with a .200 hitting percentage overall and recorded 6 team blocks.

The Raiders return to the court today for day two of the SUNY Poly Invitational where they will begin the day with a match against No. 3 Juniata followed by a match with the hosts, SUNY Poly. First serve is set for 11 a.m. at the Wildcat Field House.