Mellen Makes GNAC History

In only the second game of her senior season, Jessica Mellen accomplished what many players only dream about: her 1,000th career point. Mellen is only the second player in GNAC history, male or female, to achieve 1000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists. The first player to achieve the award was Iman Davis (Emmanuel College) at the conclusion of the 2008-2009 season with 1,474 points, 621 rebounds, and 346 assists. Both players will continue to shatter the Great Northeast Conference records this season as they finish their final seasons of play.

A native of Rockland, Mass. Mellen is ranked 10th overall in the GNAC for scoring with 213 points in 16 games, averaging 13.3 points per game. She ranks 3rd for rebounds (173), 7th for field goal percentage (.462), 13th for assists (46), 3rd for steals (40), and 9th for blocked shots (19).

The 5'10'' senior captain started off the season with a bang, with three consecutive games with double digit points and rebounds. In those games she averaged 15.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. She was awarded for her excellent play at the Mariner Invitational Tournament hosted by Maine Maritime Academy for the All-Tournament team. Also this season, Jess was honored as the November 23rd, 2009 GNAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week and the Rivier College Female Student-Athlete of the Month. Over the past two seasons, Mellen was selected for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference 2nd Team All-Conference.

Currently in second place in the GNAC for scoring offense, led by Jessica Mellen, the Raiders have come out strong in the 2009-2010 season with an overall record of 12-5, which has been the best start in program history. Mellen is the second 1000 point scorer in the past two seasons for Rivier College.

When asked the question of how the senior captain impacted the Raiders' basketball program, Coach Kelly O'Connell gave her player one of the greatest compliments an athlete could ever receive. "Jess Mellen has been the foundation of this program and has taken it to unprecedented heights. We are currently off to our best start in program history in large part because of Jess' work ethic and her will to win. Her accomplishments on the basketball court go largely unnoticed by our competition, as evidenced by her only being named as a 2nd Team All Conference selection the last 2 seasons. However, it comes as no surprise to anyone associated with our basketball program that she achieved such an elite status. Jess Mellen is will go down as one of the best basketball players in program history."

By: Natalie West

Communications Specialist