RINDGE, N.H. (1/31/26) – The Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team used a dominant defensive effort and a 20-point fourth quarter to earn its first Northeast 10 Conference victory of the season, defeating Pace 54–46 on Saturday afternoon at The Fieldhouse. 

Score: Franklin Pierce 54, Pace 46
Records: Franklin Pierce 2–18 (1–10 NE10), Pace 6–14 (2–9 NE10)
Location: The Fieldhouse, Rindge, N.H.
Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Franklin Pierce set the tone early with strong defensive pressure and active rebounding, sparked by Jaylene Pires (Yarmouth Port, Mass.), who grabbed three early boards to help limit Pace to just nine points in the opening quarter. Emily Mennillo (Orange, Conn.) and Janaya Prince-Baquero (Cranston, R.I.) provided the early offense, each knocking down a three as the Ravens built an 11–9 lead through ten minutes.
• The second quarter belonged to Franklin Pierce's depth. Liv Murray (Salem, N.H.) entered and immediately provided a spark, hitting a pair of threes and knocking down two free throws as the Ravens went on a 15–4 run. Laia Llorente (Madrid, Spain) controlled the interior with six rebounds in the half and added a put-back finish to help push the advantage to 26–13 at the break. The Ravens' defensive effort was the story, holding Pace to just one field goal in the quarter.
• Pace made its push in the third, using pressure defense and transition opportunities to outscore the Ravens 21–8 and tie the game 34–34. Despite the shift in momentum, Franklin Pierce found key plays from Pires, who scored on a second-chance layup, and Armani Rivera (Pawtucket, R.I), who buried a crucial three to help steady the group heading into the fourth.
• With the game reset, Franklin Pierce took complete control in the final frame. Llorente opened the quarter with a smooth jumper to reclaim the lead, and Murray followed with a strong take to the rim plus a free throw to extend the margin. Mennillo added a driving finish, while Prince-Baquero's perimeter defense and ball pressure forced key late turnovers. The Ravens closed the game on a 20–12 advantage, sealing their first NE10 victory of the season.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS 

• Franklin Pierce's bench provided 26 of the team's 54 points, outscoring Pace 26–4.
• The Ravens held a 41–38 rebounding advantage, including 16 on the offensive glass.
• Liv Murray led the team with 13 points (4-4 FT), 3 rebounds. 

UP NEXT FOR THE RAVENS: The Franklin Pierce women's basketball team will look to stay in the win column at home as they look to Wednesday (2/4) when they host AIC at 5:30 p.m.