Newton, MA - The Lasell Lasers fell to #1 Saint Joseph (CT) on Thursday night by a final score of 73-66. The Lasers fall to 7-10 on the season and 4-6 in conference play. The Blue Jays continue their undefeated season, and move to 19-0 and 12-0.
In front of a loud and energetic crowd, Lasell got out to an early lead, as the nation's leading scorer EJ Day opened the game with a three pointer. The Lasers would control the rest of the first half, going up by as many as 11 when DaVon Bradley hit a three pointer to make it 18-7 five minutes into the game. The Blue Jays would slowly close the gap, and would get a buzzer beating dunk heading into halftime to make it 34-33 Lasers at the break. Day led the Lasers with 10 first half points, but it was a well-rounded attack, as eight different Lasers scored in the opening half.
After USJ scored the first two points of the second half to take their first lead of the game, EJ Day went on a mini 5-0 run on his own, making a deep three pointer, and a difficult turnaround jumper. One of the key moments of the game occurred just two minutes into the second half. After committing two fouls in the first half, Day committed two quick fouls early in the second half, sending him to the bench for the next 10 minutes of the game.
Without their leading scorer, the Lasers were able to extend their lead to as many as 10 points when Jonah Cattaneo hit a three pointer with 14 minutes remaining, giving Lasell the 53-43 lead. USJ then went on a 7-1 run to draw within four. That is where the lead would stand when Day returned to the game with just under eight minutes remaining in the game.
The two teams traded blow for blow the rest of the way, with the score being tied at 60, 63, and 65. With just under three minutes to play, Quinton Partee Jr. went to the free throw line, and made of two shots to give the Lasers a 66-65 lead. But the Blue Jays would grab the lead away from the Lasers on a layup with 90 second remaining. After a missed jump shot from Lasell, USJ extended their lead to three with another layup. After a missed Day three pointer, the Blue Jays would make a pair of free throws, before ultimately winning the game 73-66. The seven-point win was the Blue Jays smallest margin of victory on the season.
The Lasers were led by Day, who despite the foul trouble, led the game with 23 points. Day, who entered the night averaging 36.4 minutes per game, played just 24 minutes. Also scoring in double-digits was Demerrick Warren, scoring 12 points, all of which came via three pointers. Cattaneo scored nine points off the bench. Quinton Partee Jr. also had a good game, scoring eight points and grabbing eight rebounds. As a team, the Lasers shot 13-28 from three-point range.
Up Next - The Lasers will next play at Dean College on Saturday, January 28th. That game will start at 3pm.