WBK: Lasell drops GNAC road game at Anna Maria; Ortiz continues strong season

PAXTON, Mass. – The Lasell University women's basketball team dropped a 68-59 decision to Anna Maria College Saturday afternoon in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match-up at the Fuller Center.

The Lasers had trouble containing junior Amber Wilson (New York, N.Y.), who finished two assists shy of a triple double as she poured in 31 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and handed out eight assists. Senior Sierra Johnson (Brockton, Mass.) added 16 points for the Amcats in the victory.

Senior Amanda Ortiz (Newton, Mass.) was the top performer for the Lasers, finishing with 22 points and nine rebounds for her 10th game with at least 20 points. She is averaging 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds on the season. Junior Devyn Markland (Derby, Conn.) added nine points and junior Precious Montgomery (Bridgeport, Conn.) contributed eight points and eight rebounds.

Lasell led the game after one quarter, 10-8, but Anna Maria erupted for 23 points in the second quarter, as Wilson made all six of her shots and a pair of free throws for 14 points, helping the home team to a 31-24 lead at the break.

The Lasers stayed within striking distance much of the third quarter until Anna Maria went up by 10 points, 41-31, with four minutes remaining. The Amcats led by as much as 15 points before holding an 11-point margin after three quarters, and maintained a comfortable margin most of the final frame.

Lasell drops to 8-8 overall and 2-3 in the GNAC, while Anna Maria is now 6-12 and 2-2. The Lasers are right back into action on Sunday, January 26, with a non-conference home game against City College of New York (CCNY) at 2 p.m. The Amcats travel to Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Wednesday, January 29, for a 5:30 p.m. GNAC affair.

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