Lasers Hang on to Defeat Norwich 72-67

Newton, MA - The Lasell men's basketball team defeated Norwich, 72-67, in a GNAC conference matchup Thursday night at the Lasell College Athletic Center.  It is Lasell's third win in a row as they improve to 7-9 (6-3 GNAC).

The Lasers had four players in double figures.  Junior co-captain Sean Bertanza (Seymour, CT) was the scoring leader for the Lasers putting up a team high 22 points.  Senior co-captain Javon Williams(Mattapan, MA) had an impressive 12 point, 14 rebound double-double.  Nate DiSessa (Westfield, MA), 11 points, and Frank Apisa (Branchburg, NJ), 10 points, were the only other Lasers to score in double figures.  Tom McDonald (Groton, MA) led the way for the Cadets scoring a game high 29 points. Antonio Davis (Albany, NY) was the only other Cadet to score in double figures with 21 points.  

Bertanza and the Lasers came out strong to start the first half.  Bertanza scored the Lasers' first 9 points to give Lasell a 9-2 lead at 17:02.  After an Apisa layup at the 16:35 mark the Lasers went on a 13-6 run and had a 22-9 lead at 12:36.  The Lasers hot shooting could not be contained and after a Bertanza jumper at the 9:57 mark the score was 30-13 Lasell.  After DiSessa gave the Lasers another 17 point lead, 37-20, at 4:47 the Cadets came back to make it a close game.  The Cadets closed out the half on a 12-0 run cutting the score to 37-32 Lasers at the break.

The Cadets run continued at the start of the second half.  After a McDonald three pointer at 18:47 the Cadets took a 40-39 lead.  The Lasers answered with a 10-2 run and after two Williams free throws at the 13:27 mark the Lasers led 49-42.  The Cadets would not go away and a McDonald jumper at 9:06 cut the Lasers' lead to 57-52.  The Lasers increased the lead  again to 62-54 after a Williams jumper at 7:32.  A Davis jumper made it 62-58 and it looked like the Cadets might come back, but the Lasers strong shooting, free throws and defense, down the stretch, closed out the Cadets 72-67.

Lasell shot 44.3% from the floor while the Cadets were held to only 41.4% shooting. The Lasers played strong defense forcing 22 turnovers scoring 24 points off those turnovers.  

With the loss the Cadets fall to 4-10 overall and 3-5 in the GNAC.  Their next game is on the road against GNAC opponent Suffolk University Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

With the victory Lasell improves to 7-9 overall and 6-3 in the GNAC. The Lasers will look to keep their winning streak going when they return to action on the road on Tuesday against GNAC opponent Albertus Magnus at 8 p.m.

Story contibuted by Dan Nunn