WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FALLS TO WHEATON IN SEASON OPENER

Three Lasers posted double digits in scoring against Wheaton College in women's basketball action on Saturday, but it was not enough to get the Lasers past the Lyons in their season opener. Lasell debuted at the Wheaton College Tip-Off Tournament, and though the Lasers kept the game within range into the early parts of the second half, the Lyons ran away with a 92-53 win and advanced to the championship game.

Senior guards Katie Schumitz (Milford, CT) and Shauna Kelly (Quincy, MA), along with junior forward Tricia Culver (N. Hampton, MA) were driving forces for Lasell, producing 27 of the Lasers first half points combined.   The Lasers shot 48.3% from the field, cutting Wheaton's lead to within 10 three times before closing for break, at 47-35, Lyons advantage.

The Lyons came out blazing in the second half, led by senior Krystin Hickey (Manchester, NH) who netted 14 second half points, to set the Lyons on a run that the Lasers could not recover from. 

Though Wheaton held a 44-25 advantage in rebounds, Lasell's Schumitz crashed the boards for a game-high seven rebounds in the game, while also producing 12 points.  Kelly came up with a team-best 14 points, along with 4 assists and 4 rebounds, and Culver added 11 points, 4 boards, and 3 assists.

In her first appearance for Lasell, freshman forward JoAnna Bishop (S. Burlington, VT) made quite an impact with 8 points and 4 rebounds, playing nearly the entire contest.  Sophomore point guard Katie Farr (Rindge, NH) and freshman forward Kelsey Correia (W. Wareham, MA) completed the Lasers scoring with 8 points, while freshman guard Kelsey Converse (Laconia, NH) picked up four rebounds and dished out two assists.

Video of Saturday's contest can be watch at http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/athletics/broadcast.html.

The Lasers will face Clarkson University on Sunday, November 16th, at 1:00 p.m. in the consolation game of the tournament.