MADISON, N.J – Senior forward Gianna Pica scored a game- and season-high 18 points but the Drew University women's basketball dropped a 63-44 decision to Susquehanna University in a Landmark Conference tilt Saturday afternoon in Baldwin Gym.
 
Pica added four rebounds and three steals for the Rangers (9-6, 4-4 LC) while senior center Brenna Hezel contributed seven rebounds and three blocked shots off the bench while junior guard Amy Rachilla posted six points and five assists.
 
Carly George notched 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists while Julia Roth added 16 points and 12 boards for the River Hawks (12-3, 5-3 LC), who received votes in the most recent WBCA and D3hoops.com Top-25 polls.
 
The Rangers trailed just 15-12 after the first quarter. The River Hawks led by seven late in the opening period before Pica scored the final two baskets of the stanza.
 
Drew outscored Susquehanna 7-6 to open the second quarter, and a free throw from Rachilla made it a 21-19 game with 6:15 to go in the period. However, that's when the River Hawks used a 12-0 run to end the half and go up 33-21 heading at the intermission.
 
The Rangers won the third quarter 9-6 in a defensive battle. Drew shut out Susquehanna over the last seven minutes of the period while scoring the last six points, including a free throw from freshman forward Molly Chapman with 34 ticks showing that made it a 39-30 game heading into the fourth quarter.
 
A jumper from Pica made it 41-32 with 7:42 left in the game and it was a 45-35 contest after a 3-pointer from junior guard Olivia Aliotta with 6:32 to go. However, that's when the River Hawks pulled away with a 7-0 over the following 1:21.
 
Drew continues its season on Wednesday, when it hosts Moravian University at 7 p.m. in another Landmark Conference tilt.