MBK: Lasell upended by Babson in second game of weekend series

BABSON PARK, Mass. – The Lasell University men's basketball team fell behind early and never recovered Sunday afternoon, dropping the second game of a weekend series at Babson College, 97-55, in non-conference action inside Babson's Staake Gymnasium.

Unlike the day before, when Lasell held the lead for a good portion of Saturday's first half and used a late rally to pull to with six points down the stretch, the Lasers (0-2) were overpowered by the undefeated Beavers (4-0) on Sunday. After scoring exactly 80 points in its first three games, Babson erupted for 97 points en route to their fourth straight victory.

The Lasers were paced in the game by three seniors, as Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) scored a team-high 16 points while collecting seven rebounds, Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) added 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds, and Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.) chipped in with nine points. Junior EJ Day (Norwalk, Conn.) contributed seven points and sophomore Demerrick Warren (Deerfield, Fla.) finished with six.

Babson had five players reach double figures in scoring, led by junior Max Gussen, who made 8-of-11 shots off the bench (3-of-5 three-pointers) and finished with 19 points and eight rebounds. Senior Andrew Jaworski was strong all around with 13 points, eight points and seven assists, junior James Welch was good for 12 points, classmate Colin Bradanese added 11 and freshman John Gorgol contributed 10.

Babson had a fine afternoon in the shooting department, converting nearly 60 percent from the field (40-of-67, 59.7%) and 45 percent from three-point range (14-of-31), while the Lasers struggled in the same department, making just 28.4 percent as a team (19-of-67) and 26 percent from long range (5-of-19).

The hosts pulled out to a 19-4 lead just six minutes into the game as Lasell made just two of its first seven shots, both by Friberg. Babson maintained its double-digit lead throughout the first half and held a 45-38 lead at the intermission. The Beavers opened the second half with a 15-2 surge and Lasell couldn't mount a challenge the rest of the way.

-- 30 --