Despite 13 points and 15 rebounds from junior Kelsey Pendagast (Shelton, Conn.), the Albertus Magnus women's basketball team dropped a 61-44 decision to Rivier University on Tuesday night in the Falcons' Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener.

Pendagast shot 5-of-11 from the field and played 39 minutes of work in the loss as Albertus fell to 5-6 overall on the year. With the win, Rivier improved to 4-7 on the year and 1-0 in league play.
The Falcons came from behind in the opening half after being down by nine to tie the score at 19 with less than three minutes before the halftime break. The Falcons put together a 12-2 run to finish out the frame and went into the break with a 26-21 advantage. 

Rivier opened the second half with seven unanswered points to take a two-point lead. Play went back and forth during the first five minutes of the second half before Rivier put together a 9-0 run and took control of the contest.

Despite the loss, the Falcons out rebounded Rivier 53-40 but committed 20 turnovers.

Chelsea Sherrod (Bridgeport, Conn.) added nine points for the Falcons, while Olivia Bolden (South Windsor, Conn.) and Alexa Riley (Cromwell, Conn.) scored eight points each, respectively. Albertus shot just 25.8% from the field, a 16-of-62 showing, while the Raiders shot 34.3%, on a 23-of-67 effort.

Rivier was led by Deanna Purcell with 19 points as she was one of four starters to register double figures for Rivier. Purcell added 10 rebounds.

Albertus returns to action on Thursday night when the Falcons play host to Manhattanville. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.