High Seeds Hold True in GNAC Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRACKET

Top seeds held true on Tuesday night as the 2015 GNAC Women's Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals got underway. Top-seeded Emmanuel College handled eighth-seeded Albertus Magnus, 77-52, and fourth-seeded Suffolk University topped fifth-seeded Rivier University, 60-45.

Suffolk will now travel to Emmanuel on Thursday evening (7:00 p.m.) in the GNAC semifinals, with a trip to Saturday's title game on the line.

In the two other quarterfinals, second-seeded Norwich University defeated seventh-seeded Anna Maria College, 68-51, and third-seeded Johnson & Wales University held off sixth-seeded Saint Joseph's College of Maine, 70-62.

As a result, Johnson & Wales will travel to Norwich for a 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night in the other GNAC semifinal matchup.

#3 JOHNSON & WALES 70, #6 SAINT JOSEPH'S (MAINE) 62 | BOX
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The host Wildcats were able to withstand a game-high 29 points on 12-of-17 shooting from Saint Joseph's (Maine) junior center Morgan Cahill, as four JWU student-athletes scored in double figures, led by 19 points from freshman center Ashley Thompson and an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double by sophomore Bobbie Whitehead in Tuesday night's win.

Johnson & Wales junior Savannah Kresge added 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting in just 14 minutes off the bench. Cahill also had six boards for Saint Joseph's, while Monks senior Sarah Assante had six points, nine boards and seven assists in 27 minutes.

The Monks were unable to overcome a nine-point deficit at the half, as both teams shot virtually the same for the contest. Saint Joseph's shot just 1-of-16 from three-point range, while JWU was 20-of-23 overall at the free-throw line.

#2 NORWICH 68, #7 ANNA MARIA 51 | BOX
NORTHFIELD, VT. – Norwich sophomore forward Heather LeBlanc (pictured) had 15 points and 15 rebounds while senior Aliah Curry netted a game-high 25 points (8-22 FG, 4-15 3PT) to go with five assists and four steals in the Cadets' victory on Tuesday. Norwich freshman Arianna Harrison added eight points and 10 boards in just 23 minutes.

The Cadets led things 32-15 at the break, as the visiting AMCATS shot just 16 percent (5-31 FG) in the first half and 25.4 percent (16-63) for the game.

Anna Maria senior Trafficia Warburton had 10 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks, while fellow senior Katie Pryor went for 19 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

#1 EMMANUEL 77, #8 ALBERTUS MAGNUS 52 | BOX
BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Sarah Higgins led a balanced offensive attack for the Saints with 21 points, while senior Vanessa Bramante had 17 points and seven rebounds, sophomore Jen Chalk totaled 14 points and seven boards, and junior Devin Rauh had eight points, six assists and five steals on Tuesday. 

The Saints held the visiting Falcons to under 30 percent shooting for the contest, including a mere 1-for-14 showing by Albertus Magnus from three-point range. Emmanuel also assisted on 19 of 29 made field goals.

Albertus Magnus freshman Olivia Bolden had a game-high 22 points (6-12 FG, 10-13 FT) and 10 rebounds in the loss. Junior Kelsey Pendagast registered 18 points and eight rebounds and junior Chelsea Sherrod had four points and 12 boards.

#4 SUFFOLK 60, #5 RIVIER 45 | BOX
BOSTON, Mass. – A line of 21 points, nine rebounds and five blocks from Rivier senior Deanna Purcell (5-16 FG, 1-6 3PT, 10-12 FT) was not enough on the road for the Raiders, as Suffolk limited them to just 24 percent (13-54 FG) shooting and outrebounded Rivier, 55-40.

The Rams saw four score in double figures, led by 18 points (5-8 FG, 8-11 FT) and 13 rebounds in just 22 minutes from senior Tori Brillaud. Senior Iliana Quadri filled it up with 14 points, five boards, three assists, four steals and three blocks in the win, while junior Alessandra Quadri double-doubled with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Sophomore Savanna Butterfield had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for Rivier in the loss.

Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement.

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, Feb. 24
Game 1: #1 Emmanuel 77, #8 Albertus Magnus 52 | BOX | PROGRAM
Game 2: #4 Suffolk 60, #5 Rivier 45 | BOX | PROGRAM
Game 3: #3 Johnson & Wales 70, #6 Saint Joseph's (Maine) 62 | BOX | PROGRAM
Game 4: #2 Norwich 68, #7 Anna Maria 51 | BOX | PROGRAM

Semifinals - Thursday, Feb. 26
Game 5: #4 Suffolk at #1 Emmanuel - 7:00 p.m.
Game 6: #3 Johnson & Wales at #2 Norwich - 7:00 p.m.

Championship - Saturday, Feb. 28
Game 7: Game 5 vs. Game 6 winner

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