Lasers Climb Back from Early Hole but Saints Hold On for the Win

Newton, MA- Rob Williams-Hinton (Oak Park, MI) had 39 points and 8 rebounds leading the Saints of Emmanuel College to an 85-77 victory over Lasell College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference men's basketball action this afternoon. 

Williams-Hinton came out firing, scoring the opening ten points of the game for Emmanuel, and causing the Lasers to fall behind 12-4 just three minutes into the game.  Lasell, however, regained composure to tie the game at 12-all by the fifteen minute mark off back-to-back three's by Jose Guitian (Miami, FL) and Brad Caravoulias (Dracut, Mass.).  

Emmanuel answered Lasell's run with one of their own, going 17-3 over the course of the following seven minutes, racing to a 16 point lead. The teams traded baskets through the final minutes, and the Saints entered the locker rooms with a comfortable 14 point lead.

The early part of the second was a back-and-forth affair, with Saint's forward Tyrone Buchanan (Detroit, MI) and Lasell's forwards Sean Joynes (Philadelphia, PA) and Guitian battling down low and providing much of the offense. 

 Lasell did not begin to cut their deficit until the twelve minute mark when Javon Williams (Mattapan, Mass.) came off the bench to provide a much needed spark for the Lasers.  Williams ignited an 18-4 stretch in favor of Lasell starting with a traditional 3-point play, followed by a steal and an offensive board and dish for a three-pointer by Charles Horton (Worcester, Mass.).  The Lasers capped their run by tying the game at 63-63 as Guitian put in a turnaround jumper in the key.

Emmanuel responded, taking back control of the board with a double-digit edge over the next two minutes.  With 1:08 on the clock, Lasell's Junior Sainval (Miami, FL) hit a nothing-but-net three to bring it back to a five point game.  After a two point possession by the Saints, Guitian netted another trey for the home team and the game was within reach again at 81-77, and 33 seconds remaining.  

After a Laser time out and the clock running down, Lasell fouled Mike Jackson (New York, NY) and Williams-Hinton, who hit their free throws down the stretch for the win, evening the conference series out with each team taking a win from the other on the road.  Emmanuel now stands at 12-9, and 9-5 in the GNAC.  Lasell is 14-7, and 11-3 in the conference.

Lasell shot just 37% from the field in the contest, while the Saints shot 53% and held a 49-38 rebounding advantage.  Both teams shot under 60% from the free throw line, Lasell missing on 13 and Emmanuel missing on 14 freebies.

Buchanan finished the game with 16 points and 10 boards, and Jackson also hit double-figures with 11 points.

Guitian was the only Laser to end the game in double-figures scoring, putting in 38 points and picking up 12 boards.  Sainval added nine points and six boards, and Caravoulias dropped in eight points in the defeat.

Lasell plays next at neighboring Mount Ida College, on Tuesday, at 6:00 p.m.