WBB: Lasers Defeat NEC in Conference-Opener

Newton, MA- The Lasell University women's basketball team continued in the win collum as they opened conference play with a 58–47 victory over New England College on Saturday.

The opening quarter featured a defensive tone early before the offense settled in. Daeserae Williamson opened the scoring with a layup and set the tone defensively. Abigail Duclos was active on both ends throughout the quarter, pulling down rebounds and protecting the rim. Despite stretches of turnovers and missed opportunities, Lasell closed the period strong with a late three-pointer from Erica Lendall, to take a 19–10 lead after one.

Lasell's defense dominated the second quarter, holding NEC to just 4 points. Laura Johnson controlled the paint on both ends, finishing with 13 points and an impressive 21 rebounds to anchor the Lasers inside. Shirle Major added energy with a steal and transition basket as part of her seven-point, three-assist outing, while Alexis Bulson-Cuozzo and Lendall each connected from beyond the arc to extend the lead. Williamson added interior defense and rebounding as Lasell closed the half on a strong run, taking a commanding 36–14 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter opened with a slower offensive pace before momentum began to shift. Duclos continued her steady play around the rim, converting inside and getting to the free-throw line as she totaled 8 points and 2 assists. Blaize Mack was a force on the glass, finishing the game with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists, while NEC slowly chipped away at the deficit. Despite the push, Lasell maintained control heading into the fourth with a 46–30 lead.

The final quarter featured strong energy on both ends as Lasell worked to close out the game. Mack and Williamson provided early interior scoring, while NEC knocked down timely three-pointers to trim the margin. Williamson continued to finish inside, and Hailey Johnson added 6 points and a block off the bench. Laura Johnson remained dominant on the boards and in the paint, while Major capped the scoring late with a jumper to seal the victory as Lasell secured the 58–47 conference-opening win. 

Up Next- The Lasers will travel to the University of Saint Joseph CT on Wednesday January 14.