WBK: Lasell rolls past Elms to improve to 2-0; Ortiz posts double-double for Lasers

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Senior Amanda Ortiz (Newton, Mass.) scored 23 points and grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds Tuesday evening as Lasell University posted a 79-51 victory over Elms College in non-conference women's basketball action at Picknelly Arena.

The Lasers improve to 2-0 on the season, while Elms drops to 0-2.

Ortiz made 7-of-14 field goal attempts and 9-of-10 free throws to lead the offense, while also collecting two assists and four steals. Junior Peyton Young (Douglas, Mass.) added 11 points and eight rebounds, while senior D'Asia Allen (Providence, R.I.) and juniors Devyn Markland (Derby, Conn.) and Precious Montgomery (Bridgeport, Conn.) chipped in with nine points each.

Senior Samantha Lynes (Berlin, Conn.) was the top scorer for the home team with 10 points, while senior Shannon Cullen (Brookfield, Conn.) and freshman Jalin Waters (Waterbury, Conn.) contributed seven points apiece.

Lasell jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the first five minutes of the game, led by six points from Ortiz. The Lasers went on to lead 21-11 at the end of one period, with Ortiz scoring 10 of the team's total points.

The visitors kept up the pressure in the second quarter, outscoring the Blazers 19-10, led by seven points from Young and four from Markland, to take a 40-21 lead at the break.

The Lasers pulled away to a 58-29 advantage by the end of the third quarter, as Ortiz poured in 11 points in the frame. Lasell went to the bench in the second half as 14 different players saw action in the game.

Lasell shot 45.6 percent from the field, and outrebounded the hosts 52-41.

The Lasers look to continue their momentum this Saturday, November 16, with a visit to Northern Vermont University-Johnson for a non-conference game at 2 p.m. Elms also plays again on Saturday, visiting Rhode Island College for a 1 p.m. matchup.

-- 30 --