NASHUA, N.H. — The Emmanuel College women's basketball team dominated from the opening tip, cruising to a 83-43 road victory over Rivier on Saturday afternoon at the Muldoon Center. The Saints improved to 19-6 overall and completed a perfect 12-0 mark in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play with the win.
Emmanuel wasted no time asserting control, opening the game on a stunning 20-0 run before Rivier scored its first points with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Geanna Bryant ignited the early surge with a steal and fastbreak layup on the Saints' second possession, finishing with 8 points and 5 steals on the afternoon. Lia Krumian was equally electric in the opening quarter, knocking down a pair of three-pointers and a fastbreak layup as part of a 10-point first period. Emmanuel took a commanding 32-9 lead into the second quarter.
The Saints only extended their advantage from there. Nylah Mitchell led all scorers with 18 points, adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Mitchell was a force inside all game, repeatedly converting at the rim and anchoring an Emmanuel offense that shot 46.6% from the field and outscored Rivier 50-18 in the paint.
Eliana Jackson came off the bench to contribute 11 points, while Kendyl Ouimette added 8 points and 4 assists in a strong reserve performance. The Saints' bench as a whole outscored Rivier's 37-6.
Defensively, Emmanuel was relentless. The Saints forced 20 Rivier turnovers and converted them into 28 points, while holding the Raiders to just 27.4% shooting from the field. Bryant's five steals headlined a stifling team effort that saw Emmanuel record 12 steals on the afternoon.
By halftime, the Saints led 51-12 — a margin that rendered the second half largely academic. Emmanuel continued to play with depth and energy throughout, with Shea Canavan and Charlotte Jordan contributing in reserve roles down the stretch.
Gianna Donato led Rivier with 16 points, but had little support as the Raiders struggled to find any rhythm offensively against the suffocating Emmanuel defense.
The Saints now turn their attention to the postseason with a spotless conference record and plenty of momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. One-seed Emmanuel will face #8 New England College in the GNAC Quarterfinal on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. on Yosinoff Court.