Rivier Pulls Past Fitchburg State, 62-50

Schneider and Guglielmello pace the Falcons with 13 points each

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Fitchburg State University dropped  a 62-50 decision to the Raiders of Rivier University in a non-conference women's basketball action this evening at the Parkinson Gymnasium inside the Recreation Center.

The Raiders opened the contest with a quick layup by junior Caitlyn Perry, followed by a three by freshman Kaylee Kacavas. After a Falcon timeout, the hosts responded with a layup by freshman Kerry Brodbeck to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Rivier responded with a 9-0 run to stretch their lead to 14-2, before the Falcons answered with a 7-0 run over the last six minutes of the half, capped by a three from junior Shabeli Villa, to bring the margin to 14-9 at the end of the first quarter.

The Green and Gold began the second quarter by capitalizing on an and-one from senior Erika Schneider to make the score 14-12 just ten seconds into the stanza. The guests answered back with a 7-0 run of their own as junior Savanna Butterfield tacked on five of the seven Raider points.

From there, the two teams traded baskets, with the hosts closing the first half scoring with free throws by freshman Briana Pelton and a layup by senior Stephanie Leveillee to reduce Rivier's lead to 29-22 entering the break.

Following the intermission, the back-and-forth nature of the game continued on in the third quarter, with the Falcons closing the margin to as little as five with a layup from junior Melissa Guglielmello, who scored seven of the 11 Falcon points in the frame.

Rivier closed the scoring with threes from Perry and junior Caitlin Bulger to give the visitors a nine point (42-33) advantage through three quarters of play. In the final period, the Raiders pulled away, going a 15-4 strech to open the fourth quarter with Perry leading the charge, posting five of her team-leading 17 points during that run, resulting in the 62-50 final.

Fitchburg State was led by Schneider with 13 points, five boards and one block, while Guglielmello added 13 points, nine caroms, three steals and a pair of assists. Leveillee was also strong, notching four points, 14 rebounds, two steals and a block for the Falcons.

For Rivier, Perry recorded a game-best 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Butterfield notched a double-double of 12 points and 13 caroms to go along with three blocks, one assist and one steal.

Throughout the contest, Fitchburg State shot 21-for-74 from the field (28.4%) from the field, while going 6-for-9 from the charity stripe. Rivier finished 24-for-74 (32.4%) overall, while connecting on 10-of-14 shots from the free-throw line.

Fitchburg State (0-4, 0-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday, as they travel to Salve Regina to take on the Seahawks for a 1 p.m. start. Rivier (2-2, 0-0 GNAC) will return to the court on Tuesday, November 24, as they take on cross-town rival Daniel Webster at 7 p.m.

Courtesy of Fitchburg State senior Daniel Beaulac

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