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Posted: Jan 02, 2025

Women’s Basketball Opens 2025 with Gritty Win Over Bridgeport 

Shannen Hardy
Shannen Hardy
Box Score
Game Leaders
Franklin Pierce
Pts: Colette Mulderig - 18
Reb: Colette Mulderig - 7
Ast: Janessa Gonzalez - 5
Bridgeport
Pts: Zahkiyyah Frazier - 12
Reb: Ana Gascon - 15
Ast: Ciera Cevallos - 3
Team Stats
Full stats
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (1/2/25) – The Franklin Pierce Women's Basketball team kicked off the new year with a hard-fought 50-47 victory over the University of Bridgeport on Thursday afternoon at Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium. Leana Heitmann's clutch layup and free throw in the final moments sealed the win for the Ravens, who overcame a slow start and a late-game surge from the Purple Knights to secure their second straight victory. 

Score: FPU 50, Bridgeport 47 
Records: FPU 3-8 (0-5 NE10), Bridgeport 1-13 (1-1 CACC) 
Date: Thursday, January 2, 2025 
Location: Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium, Bridgeport, Connecticut 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • After a scoreless opening three minutes, Sara Macary (Naugatuck, Conn.) scored the first points of the game with two free throws, giving the Ravens an early 2-0 lead. Bridgeport quickly responded and built a 12-2 advantage, fueled by three-pointers from Niyah Whitten and Ana Gascon. 
  • In the final minute of the first quarter, Geanna Bryant's (Boston, Mass.) steal set up a jumper from Janessa Gonzalez (Meriden, Conn.), followed by a buzzer-beater from Colette Mulderig (Scranton, Pa.), closing the gap to 8-14 heading into the second quarter. 
  • Leana Heitmann (Syracuse, N.Y.) sparked the Ravens' second-quarter offense with a three-pointer, narrowing the gap to five. Key contributions from Mulderig, including a fadeaway jumper and back-to-back scores, brought the Ravens within one point. 
  • Bryant's clutch three-pointer gave Franklin Pierce its first lead since 2-0, and Heitmann's jumper extended it. Bryant closed the half with two free throws, helping the Ravens head into halftime with a 28-21 lead. 
  • Bryant opened the second half with her second three-pointer of the game, extending the Ravens' lead to 10. Heitmann reached double figures with another three-pointer, pushing the score to 34-23. 
  • Despite a scoring drought, Heitmann added a layup, and Macary knocked down a jumper to close the third quarter with the Ravens leading 39-29. 
  • Bridgeport opened the fourth quarter strong, narrowing the gap with a three-pointer from Ciera Cevallos and eventually tying the game at 43-43. The Purple Knights briefly took the lead before Mulderig's two baskets tied the score again at 47-47. 
  • Heitmann secured the win for the Ravens with a clutch layup and free throw, giving them a 50-47 lead with 1:09 remaining. The Ravens held on to earn their second consecutive victory as the final minute remained scoreless. 

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:  

  • Colette Mulderig led the team with 18 points and 7 rebounds.  
  • The Ravens shot 40.9% from the field. The Purple Knights shot 34.0%.  
  • The Ravens shot 28.6% from three-point range. The Purple Knights shot 26.3%.  
  • Both teams had 32 total rebounds. 

UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Franklin Pierce women's basketball team is back in action this Sunday, hosting AIC in the Fieldhouse as they aim for their first NE10 victory. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 PM.