WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

HEAD COACH: Kelly A. O'Connell (4th season)
PHONE: (603) 897-8657; E-MAIL: koconnell@rivier.edu

ASSISTANT COACHES: Kathy Bantley (4th season); Steve Largy (1st season)
CAPTAINS: Justine Nims, Jess Mellen & Monica White
MANAGERS: Sarah Hilson, Julie Abraham, Amanda Ryan & Alyssa Devoid

For recaps of previous games, click here.

March 23, 2009

Mellen and Carpenter Named to All-State Teams

Rivier's Jess Mellen was named to the Division III First Team All-State by the NH NCAA Division III Basketball Coaches Association for her outstanding season for the Raiders.  Mellen was second on the team in points scored (15.4) and first in rebounds (10.9).  Mellen was also named to the second team all conference.  Blair Carpenter was named to the Second Team All-State after leading the Raiders in scoring (16.8 ppg).  The NH NCAA Division III Basketball Coaches Association is made up of coaches from the 6 division III schools in NH; Rivier College, Daniel Webster College, Plymouth State, Keene State, Colby-Sawyer College and New England College.  To see the entire All-State Team, click here.

February 26, 2009

Mellen named to the 2nd Team All-Conference

Junior Jess Mellen has been named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) 2nd Team All-Conference. This is the second consecutive year Mellen has been an All-Conference selection. Jess was again dominant this season as she averaged a double-double of 15.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. In addition to these outstanding numbers, Mellen chipped in with 4.23 assists and a team-best 3.42 steals per outing. Jess finished the season ranked in the top 10 in 8 of 12 individual statistical GNAC categories (and is ranked in the top 3 in 6 of those same categories). This is the most by any player in the conference. In the 13 conference games this year (including playoffs), Jess averaged team-highs in points (15.8), rebounds (10), assists (4.3) and steals (3). She scored in double figures in each one of the conference games (24 of the 26 games overall) and had 8 double-doubles (16 overall). Jess was also named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Player of the Week 4 different times this season. This is also the most by any player in the conference.

February 26, 2009

Laine recognized by the GNAC

Sophomore Stacey Laine is the Raider's representative on the conference's All-Sportsmanship Team. The All-Sportsmanship Team is comprised of 1 representative from each of the 13 GNAC institutions. Each player on the Raider team cast a vote as to who they thought best represented the Rivier College Women's Basketball Team in acts of sportsmanship. Stacey was chosen by her teammates to represent them on this team.

February 24, 2009

Raiders lose heartbreaker to Wildcats

Rivier 69     Johnson & Wales 75
 
The Raiders (17-9; 8-4) fell behind by 8 at the break as they allowed the Wildcats to shoot a blistering 50% from the field. Riv would not go down without a fight as they battled back to take a 4-point lead with 4:23 left to go. The Wildcats responded with back to back 3-pointers (both off offensive rebounds). The Raiders climbed back to tie the game with 1:52 to go. JWU answered with a conventional 3-point play and finished the game converting on 7 of 8 free throw attempts.
 
Riv was led by a monster game from junior Jess Mellen. She had a game-high 26 points to go with 13 rebounds (6 offensive). Mellen added 3 assists and a game-high 6 steals. Junior Monica White played great from the point guard position as she tallied 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Most impressive was her 0 turnovers in 33 minutes of action. Junior Blair Carpenter dropped in 12 points, pulled down 5 rebounds and dished out 2 assists. This was the final game in a Raider uniform for senior Justine Nims. Nims played a team-high 35 minutes and chipped in with 9 points, 9 rebounds (6 offensive), 3 assists and 2 steals.
 
Riv finishes the season with 17 wins which ties them for the most wins ever for a women's basketball team. The 5th seed in the GNAC Tournament is the highest seed the Raiders have ever had. The Raiders will look to continue in their quest next season in becoming one of the best teams in both the GNAC and in the region.

February 23, 2009

Mellen named GNAC Player of the Week

Junior Jess Mellen (Rockland, MA) has just been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Week. This is the 4th time this season Mellen has received this distinction. In a 2-0 week for the Raiders, Mellen had 2 double-doubles and averaged 15 points and 13.5 rebounds. In addition, she helped to fill up the stat sheet by chipping in with 5.5 assists and 6.5 steals per game. Jess shot an impressive 50% from the field (12-24).

February 22, 2009

Raiders clinch the 5th seed in GNAC Tournament

The #5 Rivier College Raiders will take on the #4 Johnson & Wales University Wildcats in the first round of the GNAC women's basketball tournament.  Click here for bracket seedings and matchups.

February 21, 2009

Raiders Tie Program Record With 17th Win

Rivier 87       Pine Manor 68
 
Riv (17-8; 8-4) used a strong second half to pull away from a 9 point lead at the break. The Raiders pulled down 14 offensive rebounds in the final stanza and added 10 steals. This accounted for the bulk of the scoring as it allowed for easy scoring opportunities.
 
Riv was led by yet another double-double from junior Jess Mellen. Jess dropped in 15 points to go with 12 rebounds (6 offensive). Mellen also had game-highs in assists (6) and steals (6). Junior Blair Carpenter narrowly missed out on a double-double as she had 26 points and 9 rebounds. Freshman Allie Parent filled up the stat sheet as she chipped in with 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Junior Monica White played a solid all-around game with 12 points and 3 assists while senior Justine Nims tallied 8 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
 
With the win, the Raiders are the 5 seed in the upcoming GNAC Tournament. The 5th seed is the highest finish the Rivier women's basketball team as ever had. Riv travels to Johnson and Wales University Tuesday night. The Raiders suffered a disappointing 2-point loss to the Wildcats back on February 7th.

February 18, 2009

Mellen nominated for WBCA State Farm All-America Team

Junior Jess Mellen (Rockland, MA) has been nominated for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) State Farm All-America Team. This is a national award that is given to the country's best basketball players. This nomination is another first for the Raider Women's Basketball Program. Mellen has led Rivier to a 16-8 record and the best start in program history. With 2 games remaining, the Raiders are looking to solidify their spot as the best women's basketball team in school history. On the year, Jess is averaging a double-double of 15 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. In addition, she leads the team in field goal percentage (.502) and steals (3.2) while dishing out 4.2 assists per contest. Mellen is currently ranked in the top 10 in 9 of 12 individual Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) statistical categories. This is the most of any player on any team in the conference.

February 16, 2009

Raiders run past AmCats

Rivier 70     Anna Maria 25
 
The Raiders (16-8; 7-4) played solid fundamental defense while holding Anna Maria to just 9 field goals for the game. Riv struggled on the offensive end as they connected on only 35% of their attempts (18% from deep). Again, it was the Raider defense that produced easy scoring opportunities. Riv had 17 steals which resulted in 28 points for the Blue and Gray.
 
Junior Jess Mellen led the charge for the Raiders. She did a little bit of everything as she scored 15 points, pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds to go with game-highs in assists (5) and steals (7). Freshman Danielle Stoodley dropped in a career-high 17 points while contributing 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Junior Blair Carpenter chipped in with 15 points while sophomore Steph Adams grabbed 10 rebounds (6 offensive). Senior Justine Nims and freshman Allie Parent both played well as they combined for 15 points and 17 rebounds.

February 14, 2009

Raiders Survive Shark Attack

Rivier 72          Simmons 61
 
Riv (15-8; 7-4) held the Sharks to just 33% shooting from the field (11% from beyond the arc). The Raiders jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. Simmons would not back down as they went on an 8-0 run just before intermission to cut the Raiders lead to 4 points.
 
Junior Jess Mellen was her usual dominant self as she dropped in game-highs in points (18 - on 8 for 12 shooting), rebounds (11 - 6 offensive) and assists (4). Junior Blair Carpenter also contributed 18 points to go with 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Senior Justine Nims rounded out the double figure scoring for Riv as she dropped in 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Freshman Allie Parent continues to find ways to contribute as she played a well-rounded game with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Sophomore Stacey Laine was a huge spark off the bench for the Raiders as she gave quality minutes

February 10, 2009

CARPENTER NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA

Nashua, NH - Rivier College junior guard Blair Carpenter (Meredith, NH) has been selected to the CoSIDA (college sports information directors of America) ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District women’s basketball third team.

Carpenter was a college division third-team selection in District I of CoSIDA, which encompasses New England, New York and five provinces in northeast Canada. The college division is comprised of both Division II and Division III colleges.

The nomination criteria is based on both academic and athletics excellence. Carpenter is an elementary education major who owns a 3.80 cumulative grade point average.

This is the first national academic award for the Rivier College athletic department. Blair was the college's first Academic All-America nominee last season.  She currently leads the teams with a 17 points per game average. She is also pulling down 5.2 rebounds per outing from the shooting guard position.

Carpenter eclipsed the 1000 point plateau earlier this season and has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Player of the Week.

February 10, 2009

Raiders stopped by Cadets

Rivier 63       Norwich 73
 
The Raiders struggled on the defensive side of the ball for the majority of the 40 minutes. Miscommunication and slow rotations allowed Norwich multiple easy scoring opportunities. Riv found themselves down by as many as 20 points in the second half only to fight back and cut the lead to 7 points with under 3 minutes to go. That is as close as the Blue and Gray would get as the Cadets made good on 7 of 8 free throws down the stretch.
 
The Raiders were led by junior Jess Mellen's 12 point, 7 rebound, 4 assist performance. Freshman Danielle Stoodley was superb off the bench as she connected for 10 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Senior Justine Nims celebrated Senior Night by dropping in 10 points to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Freshman Allie Parent also gave tough minutes as she chipped in with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

February 7, 2009

Wildcats steal one from Raiders

Rivier 60       Johnson & Wales 62
 
As has been the trend in recent games, Riv built a 13-point lead at the half only to be outscored in the final stanza by the opposition. Unlike the other games, the Raiders were unable to pull out the W. Riv had several open looks in the final 5 minutes but could not convert. The Raiders shot a dismal 30% from the floor for the game and missed 7 crucial free throws. JWU made 8 straight from the charity stripe in the final 3 minutes to seal the win.
 
Junior Jess Mellen continues to play well as she finished with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds (9 offensive). She also had 5 dimes and 2 steals. Freshman Allie Parent also knocked down 14 points (on 46% shooting from the field) to go with 7 rebounds
 

Click here for past games.