Sharks Evade Lasers in Conference Play

BOSTON, MA- Simmons College women's basketball edged out a narrow 47-39  win over visiting Lasell College in Thursday night's Great Northeast Athletic Conference matchup at the Holmes Sports Center.

The Sharks were led by junior Alex Acloque (Randolph, MA) who scored 11 points and scooped up seven rebounds as Simmons improved to 6-7 overall and evened out at 1-1 in the GNAC.  Junior Brittany Dolloff (Hollis, NH) put away eight points and sophomore Liz O'Connor (Milton, MA) tallied seven points and a team-best 14 rebounds.

For Lasell, sophomore forward Kim Archibald (Lewiston, ME) had an outstanding night on the glass, collecting a game-high 22 boards, including six offensive caroms.  Archibald also recorded seven points and three blocks in the contest.  For the eighth time this season, and the sixth consecutive game, freshman guard Kayla Vincelette (Westport, MA) was the high-scorer for Lasell, contributing 12 points to the effort, while also picking up nine rebounds.  Senior guard Katie Farr (Rindge, NH) added eight points to the scoreboard for Lasell.

Vincelette gave Lasell their only lead of the game in the opening possession, going ahead on a quick jump shot to start the contest.  A three-ball by Leah Davis (Cranston, RI) gave Simmons a one-point edge 20 seconds later which the hosts turned into a double-figure lead by 12:55.  The Lasers struggled to find their touch, battling to connect with the hoop, leading up to a 24-10 score at the recess.  

After falling behind as much as 20 (38-18) with 8:32 left to play, Lasell regrouped to stage a 17-3 run over a six minute span to cut the lead to just six at the two minute mark.  Vincelette and Archibald scored six points each in that stretch while Kara Hinthorne (Rockland, MA) connected on a key three-pointer to start the rally. 

With 59 seconds on the clock, Farr connected on a pair of freebies to bring the score to 41-37. Four-of-six Simmons free throws down the stretch pulled the Sharks away from the Lasers to ultimately make up the eight point spread at the final buzzer.

Lasell currently stands at 1-12 this season and 0-3 in the GNAC.  The Lasers hit the road next Monday, January 17^th for a 1:00 p.m. game against the Albertus Magnus Falcons in more conference action.