Newton, MA – The Lasell College women's basketball team dropped a GNAC conference matchup, 61-36, to the host Wildcats of Johnson and Wales University. The Lasers shot 27.8% from the field in the game, and the cold shooting night combined with the Wildcats holding a 50-39 edge on the boards were too much for Lasell to overcome. Senior JoAnna Bishop(So. Burlington, VT) scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while freshmen Alexis Chappell(Springfield, MA) added eight points and nine rebounds to lead the way for Lasell. Johnson and Wales was led by Jenna Juron(Burnt Hills, NY), who scored a game high 17 points and Marina Millian(Monroe, NY) with eight points and 13 rebounds.
The Wildcats built an early lead, using a 10-0 to take a 14-4 lead with 13:28 remaining in the first half. Lasell made a series of runs to cut the deficit to six points on three occasions, only to see Johnson and Wales end the half on a 6-0 to take a 30-18 lead into the break. Neither team was able to gain momentum early in the second half, until a Natalie DiCocco(Media, PA) three pointer with 13:48 remaining started a 16-6 run, that ended with the Wildcats holding a 54-31 lead with 5:41 left to play.
The Lasers fell to 3-16 on the year and 3-6 in GNAC play with the loss, while Johnson and Wales improved to 7-13 overall and 4-5 in the league. Lasell returns home to play host to St. Joseph's College(CT) at 1pm on Saturday February 4th in a pivotal GNAC contest. The Wildcats will play host to visiting Norwich University on Saturday at 1pm.