WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

HEAD COACH: Kelly A. O'Connell (3rd year)
PHONE: (603) 897-8657

ASSISTANT COACHES: Kathy Bantley (3rd year);
CAPTAINS: Sadie Hardiman, Michelle Stockwell, & Justine Nims
MANAGERS: Sarah Hilson & Julie Abraham

For recaps of previous games, click here.

Two Raiders receive post-season recognition

Mellen & Carpenter named to the NHBCA All State Team

March 13, 2008
         
 

Sophomores Jess Mellen (Rockland, MA) and Blair Carpenter (Meredith, NH) have just been named to the New Hampshire Basketball Coaches Association (NHBCA) All State Team. Mellen, a First Team selection, finished the season second on the team in scoring (12.3), rebounding (8.6) and assists (3.1) while leading the team in steals (2.9). She was a 2nd Team GNAC All Conference Selection after ending the season ranked in 10 of the 12 individual GNAC statistical categories. Jess averaged a double-double during conference play and was twice named GNAC Player of the Week.

Carpenter, a Second Team selection, finished the season with a team-best 15.6 points per game average. Blair was 3rd on the team in rebounds (5.1) and steals (1.5). She is currently ranked 5th in the country (tops in the GNAC) in 3 point field goals made per game (3.1).

The Raiders will rely heavily on these two players as they look to make a run in the GNAC tournament next season.

Jess Mellen named to the GNAC All Conference 2nd Team

February 28, 2008

Sophomore Jess Mellen (Rockland, MA) has just been named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) All Conference 2nd Team. Mellen had an outstanding sophomore campaign where she finished second on the team in scoring (12.3), rebounding (8.6) and assists (3.1) while leading the team in steals (2.9). Jess played her best against conference opponents. She averaged a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) and led the team in assists (3.4) and steals (2.9) during conference play. Mellen is ranked in 10 of the 12 GNAC individual statistical categories. She is ranked in the top 10 in the entire conference in the following: 3rd in steals (3.0), 4th in field goal % (49%), 7th in offensive rebounds (3.52), 7th assist to turnover ratio (0.98), 8th in total rebounding (8.6), 9th in assists (3.16) and 10th in blocked shots (1.04). No other conference player is ranked in as many individual statistical categories. GNAC Player of the Year, Iman Davis from Emmanuel College, is the next highest as she is ranked in 6 individual categories. Mellen was twice named GNAC Player of the Week - both of those selections came during conference play.

Raiders fall in GNAC Tourney to Suffolk

February 26, 2008

Rivier 56             Suffolk 72
 
Boston, MA - The #7 seed Rivier College traveled to #2 seed Suffolk University on Tuesday night for a first round match-up in the GNAC tournament. The Raiders played as hard as they had all season but came up short as the final buzzer sounded. The first half featured 7 lead changes and 6 ties. Riv's biggest lead was 4 points with 18:37 still left to go in the opening frame. The Raiders played frantic at times and allowed the Rams to build a 9 point lead with 12 minutes to go in the first half. Riv responded with some key defensive stops and some timely baskets and took a 30-30 tie into intermission. The Rams came out on fire and went on a 12-1 run to start the second half. Suffolk never looked back and led by as many as 23 points with 2:54 left in the game. The Raiders dug deep for one final push and went on a 10-3 run in the final 2+ minutes to account for the final score.
 
Riv had 3 players in double figures led by a game-high 16 points from sophomore Jess Mellen. Mellen also added 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Sophomore Blair Carpenter had a solid outing finishing with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Carpenter had just 1 turnover in 28 minutes of play. Junior Justine Nims chipped in with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
 
This was senior Sadie Hardiman's last game in a Raider uniform. She has had a phenomenal senior year and was just as strong in her final game. Hardiman finished with 5 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
 
The young Raider squad finished the 2007-2008 season with a solid 13-13 record. Riv will look to build upon their success next year and in the years to come.

Raiders fall to Cadets

February 21, 2008

Rivier 64          Norwich 71

In a game that featured 7 lead changes and 6 ties, the Raiders lost a close battle with the Cadets. Riv shot a blistering 48% in the first half from the floor (58% from behind the arc) to take a three point lead into halftime. The Cadets, however, did not back down and matched the Raiders intensity in the second half, shooting 44% from the floor (50% from behind the arc) to finish the game. The difference in the game was the Raiders inability to grab offensive rebounds. Riv averages over 22 offensive rebounds per game but against the Cadets only managed 9.

Leading the way for the Raiders was sophomore Jess Mellen who had a double-double of 16 points (on 6-8 shooting) and 11 rebounds. Junior Justine Nims also chipped in 16 points (4-8 from 3 point land), 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.  Senior Sadie Hardiman pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds (5 offensive) to go along with 3 assists and 3 steals. Sophomores Monica White and Blair Carpenter chipped in a combined 24 points.

The Raiders last game of the regular season is on Saturday versus St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine

Click here for past games.