DAYTONA BEACH, Fl. – Deanna Purcell recorded a game-high 23 points to go with six rebounds and five assists to lead Rivier past Penn State Behrend women's basketball team 69-51 on the final day of the Land of Magic Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The Raiders (6-2) used a 12-2 run in the first 10 minutes of the game, building to a 23-point advantage that stood for the win.
Ally Burke (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst) scored 11 of the Lions' (1-8) 15 first-half points. She finished with a team-best 19 points in just her second game back this season. Brianna Bayly (Imperial, PA/West Allegheny) recorded nine of her 12 points in the second half.
Purcell shot 80 percent from the floor and posted half of Rivier's points in the first half to give the Raiders a commanding lead at the break.
Behrend went 16-for-20 from the free-throw line, including 12-for-14 in the second stanza but it wasn't enough to overcome the first-half deficit.
Brittany Kiger (White Oak, PA/McKeesport) pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds.
The Lions returns to action on Wednesday, January 8 at Pitt-Bradford. Game time is 8 p.m.