Lasers Drop Conference Opener in OT 85-84

Newton, MA--The men's basketball team faced the Rams of Suffolk tonight in both team's first conference match up of the year.   Lasell took a slim two point lead into the half and led most of the second half, but Suffolk battled back to tie the game at 74 at the end of regulation.  Missed free throws plagued both team throughout the game with the Lasers going 55% from the line while the Rams shot only 41% for the game. 

Lasell quickly built up their two point half-time lead to a 10 point margin less than two minutes into the half.  Suffolk then began to chip away at the deficit and regained the lead, 46-45, at the 15 minute mark. A quick lay-up followed by a three point shot by Sean Bertanza put Lasell back up by four at 13:20.  At the 10 minute mark, the Lasers built their lead back up to 10 and with 8 minutes left in the game, Lasell was up by 11.  Suffolk then began to come back and with 1:50 left in the game, Lasell was clinging to a two point lead.  A free throw by Jordan Fuller gave Lasell a three point lead, but a lay up by Matt Pepdjonvic pulled Suffolk to within one.  Another free throw by Fuller gave Lasell a two point lead, but Pepdjonvic was able to put in another lay-up for the tie. 

The overtime stanza was back and forth with the teams trading leads.  A late foul called with four seconds left in OT gave the Rams the two free points they needed to seal the victory 85-84.

Bertanza and Javon Williams each scored double doubles tonight with Bertanza putting up 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds and Williams grabbing 12 boards and scoring 21 points.  Zachary Campbell added 10 points and 4 steals in the loss.  Demetrious Lambright dished out 8 assists and Dana Johnson had 3 blocked shots for the night. 

The men will next travel to Amherst College for a non-conference match-up on Tuesday, November 30th.