MBB: Lasell rolls past Norwich for GNAC victory

MBB: Lasell rolls past Norwich for GNAC victory

NEWTON, Mass. – Sophomore Dylan Murray (Williston, Fla.), junior Stefan Masciarelli (Northbridge, Mass.), and senior Joe O'Brien (Saugus, Mass.) combined for 66 points Tuesday evening, draining a combined 17 three-pointers, as Lasell College rolled past Norwich University, 90-65, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's basketball action at the Lasell Athletic Center.

Murray tossed in 27 points, including eight three-point baskets, while Masciarelli added 21 points and a career-high 11 assists and O'Brien chipped in with a career-high 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Murray finished one three-pointer shy of his career-high set last week; Masciarelli notched his second career points-assists double-double; and O'Brien, who drained a career-best six three-pointers, topped his previous career-high of 15 points set against Norwich last season.

The Lasers improve to 4-4 in the GNAC (6-15 overall) and remain in contention for a playoff berth, while Norwich slides to 2-7 in conference play (7-14 overall)

Freshman Donovan Lewis Jr. (Savannah, Ga.) led the Cadets with a career-high 20 points off the bench, converting 10-of-16 shots, while sophomore Jesse Davis (Woodinville, Wash.) scored 17 points.

The Lasers took an early 18-9 lead, thanks to a three-pointer by O'Brien and three hoops from long range in the first seven minutes. Senior Lamont Gooden (Orlando, Fla.) got into the act with a three of his own to push the margin to 25-13 midway through the half, and O'Brien added another to make it 32-18 with six minutes remaining. The three-point barrage continued with O'Brien and Masciarelli hitting from long range as Lasell pulled ahead, 53-23 by halftime.

O'Brien hit two more three early in the second half to extend the margin to 62-28, and Lasell coasted home the rest of the way. The Lasers finished with a season-high 20 three-pointers as a team and a season-best 50 percent (20-of-40) from long range. It was the most three-pointers in a game in more than a decade.

The Lasers are home again on Thursday, February 7, with a non-conference make-up game against Tufts University at 8:00 p.m. Norwich is on the road again on Saturday, February 9, at Saint Joseph's College (Maine) at 2:00 p.m.

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