Suffolk Overcomes Conference Leading Lasers

Boston, MA- Brian Small (Stoughton, Mass.) led the Rams of Suffolk University past Lasell College with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists in GNAC men's basketball, on Saturday. The Rams upset Lasell with a 112-107 win at Suffolk's Regan Gymnasium.

The conference leading Lasers were up for the entire first half, yet the Rams brought the score within one point at the break, 59-58.  Small had 21 first half points, which was balanced by Lasell's Jose Guitian (Miami, FL) who had a double-double in the first ten minutes of the game.  Guitian finished the half with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Brad Caravoulias (Dracut, Mass.) was relentless from deep, hitting 5-7 three pointers, for 19 first half points.

The teams took turns with the lead, right up until the final two minutes of the game.  At 2:13, Guitian dropped in a bucket for Lasell to go up by one.  Small and Luke Barrett (Cincinnati, OH) reacted by registering baskets for the Rams to go up 106-103 with 1:18 left.

Junior Sainval (Miami, FL) did not allow the Rams to gain anymore of a gap by scoring two off a jump shot for the Lasers, but Jevic Muteba (Revere, Mass.) replied with huge shot, and Small tacked on two free throws put the Rams ahead 110-107 with 17 seconds until the end. Two more attempts from the line by Mike Gibbons (Ringwood, NJ) sealed the game in favor of the hosts.

The Lasers shot 53.2% from the field over the course of the game.  Guitian had a 31 point, 18 rebound day, while Caravoulias finished scoring 28, including six three's .  Sainval ended the contest with 11 points, and Sean Joynes (Philadephia, PA) and Javon Williams (Mattapan, Mass.) each chipped in 10.

Saturday's game also featured Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Awareness which is going on throughout the nation this weekend in collegiate basketball. The collaborative initiative between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society has participating NABC-member college men's basketball coaches, including both the Lasell College and Suffolk University coaching staff, to wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their usual game attire to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society and the fight against cancer.

The Lasers next competition will be on Monday, February 2nd, at 7:00 p.m., when they host Albertus Magnus College.