Pair of Raiders Gain All-Conference Recognition

Nashua, NH - Two members of the Rivier College basketball teams received Second Team All-Conference recognition for their efforts on the court this season.  Don Poitras (Bow, NH) a member of the men's basketball team, and Jess Mellen (Rockland, MA) a member of the women's team, were both announced to the second team All-GNAC last night.

Poitras, a 6'7 junior center, finished the season leading the Raiders in a number of categories, including field goal percentage (.602) total rebounds (198), rebounds per game (7.6), blocks (75), total points (389), and points per game (15.0).  The Raiders started the season slowly, winning only 5 of their first 20 games and being on the verge of missing the playoffs.  However, Poitras and the rest of the team started to show signs of improvement and togetherness as they won 5 of their last 8 and 4 of their last 5 games of the regular season to push themselves into the 8^th and final spot of the GNAC playoffs.  During the last 5 games, Poitras averaged 15.4 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game, including a 16 point, 6 rebound performance against top seeded Albertus Magnus in a 79-78 upset for the Raiders.  The Raiders dropped the opening round playoff game against that same Albertus team with Poitras leading the way with 14 points and 6 rebounds.  Poitras was also named to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship team by his teammates for his demonstration of sportsmanship during the 2009-2010 season.

Mellen, a 5'10 senior forward, became only the second player in GNAC history, male or female, to score 1000 points, grab 500 rebounds, and dish out 300 assists in her career.  This season alone, she helped the Raiders to their best start in program history as the team jumped out to a 12-3 start before injuries hampered the team down the stretch to a 3-6 mark in the final 9 games of the season heading into the playoffs.  The team held onto the #8 seed in the GNAC and had to travel to #1 Emmanuel College for the first round of the playoffs.  Although the Raiders fought hard, they couldn't get past the defending champs as the Raiders lost 68-60.  Mellen led the team this season in field goal percentage (.466), total rebounds (253), rebounds per game (10.5), assists (77), blocks (31), steals (48), total points (276) and points per game (11.5).  Jess also led the team with 12 double-doubles this season, including the final playoff game, where she finished her career with a 14 point, 17 rebound performance in the Raider loss.  Mellen finishes her great career with 1246 points, 966 rebounds, 341 assists and 297 steals.   

Karen Waterman (Rutland, VT), was named to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship team by her teammates for her demonstration of sportsmanship throughout the 2009-2010 season.  The sophomore guard worked her way into the starting line-up during the final 6 games of the season because of her defensive ability and team play.  Although her stats don't show up in the box score, her energy and drive helped the team fight their way into the playoffs.