Simmons Basketball lost to Great Northeast Athletic Conference competition Rivier College at home today, 72-61. The Sharks struck first with a jumper by junior forward Stephanie Fox (West Springfield, Mass.), but were unable to take back the lead during the remainder of the game, despite coming within striking distance several times during both halves. With the loss, Simmons ends their 6-game win streak and falls to 16-7 overall, 7-3 GNAC; the Raiders advance to 15-8, 7-4 GNAC.

Fox was 4-4 in free throws, leading the Sharks with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Senior guard Lauren Kreckie (Braintree, Mass.) was right behind, tallying 15 points and seven boards, also 100% at the line with 3 free throws. Junior guard Julianna Eagles (Quincy, Mass.) was good for 11 points on the day.

Raiders Freshman Jessica Mellen (Rockland, Mass.) and junior guard Blair Carpenter led their team's scoring with 18 points each, senior guard Justine Nims (Weare, N.H.) not far behind with 17 of her own.

Rivier led 11-4 halfway through the first half, with Nims scoring one field goal and making a free throw; Mellen and Allie Parent (Camden, Maine) both hitting two free throws and one jumper each. After smart shots by Fox, freshman forward Alex Acloque (Randolph, Mass.) and sophomore guard Morgan Johnson (Waterbury, Conn.), the Sharks drew within four points of the lead at the half, 33-29.

In the second half, Simmons came within two points of the lead when Fox hit a field goal to bring the score up to 38-40 at five minutes in. With seven minutes remaining, Kreckie hit two free throws to bring the contest to 55-58, but that was the closest Simmons would get. The Raiders outscored Simmons 39-32 in the second half to close out the afternoon with their seventh GNAC win of the season.

The Sharks will face off against Saint Joseph's Maine on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:00pm, on the road. They will play their last game of the regular season at home on Saturday, February 21 against conference rival Norwich at 1:00pm.