NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell University men's basketball team dropped a tough 84-81 overtime decision to Brandeis University Tuesday evening at the Athletic Center.

The two teams headed into overtime tied at 73-73. Junior Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.) scored the first four points in the overtime for the Lasers to finish off his 21 points on the night. Brandeis answered with a three to take a 78-77 lead with three minutes remaining. Junior Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) made a three to shoot the Lasers ahead with a two-point lead. A pair of free-throws from the Judges tied the game up and from there the visitors went on to secure the overtime win.

To begin the first half, both teams traded baskets up until 12-12 when Keith Poitier, (Hartford, Conn.) who had a strong first half with 11 points, made a three-pointer to spark an eight point run for the Lasers. The visitors fought back with baskets from their leading scorers, ­­junior Chandler Jones (Springfield, Mass), and senior Collin Sawyer (New London, Conn.) Stefan Masciarelli (Northbridge, Mass.) began to heat up towards the end of the first half for the home team with four quick baskets to end the half tied at 37-37.

In the second half the Lasers would secure one of their largest leads at 66-57 with 4:50 remaining in the second frame. Jones stepped up for the visitors and delivered key baskets down the stretch to close the gap. With 41 seconds left, freshman Dylan Lien (Northboro, Mass.) made a jump shot to bring the game within 3. On the next possession Sawyer drove to the basket for a bucket and a foul, he hit the free-throw to tie the game and send it to overtime.

All five starters for the Lasers finished with double digits in scoring. Nunez led the team with 21 points, and five rebounds. Masciarelli followed him with 18 points while shooting over 50 percent from the field (7-of-13). Poitier added 12 points, Vanderhorst was good for 10, and junior Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) finished with 10 points and eight assists.

For the visiting Judges, Jones had the game-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds. Sawyer and senior Eric D'Aguanno (Saunderstown, R.I.) finished with 17 points each. 

Lasell will play its third straight home game this Thursday, December 5 against Wheaton College at 7:30 p.m. Brandeis will take on Tufts University this Saturday, December 7, at noon in the first round of the New England Big Four Challenge at Salem State University.

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