FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Lasell College women's basketball team dropped a non-conference game Saturday afternoon at Fitchburg State University, 73-54, at the Parkinson Gymnasium.

The win pushes Fitchburg State's record to 5-2 on the season, while Lasell drops below the .500 mark at 4-5.

Junior D'Asia Allen (Providence, R.I.) led the way for the Lasers with 14 points. Classmate Amanda Ortiz (Newton, Mass.) chipped in with 11 points and three assists.

Fitchburg State opened the contest on an 8-1 run on baskets from juniors Angelina Marazzi (Manchester, N.H.) and Emma Thomson (York, Maine) as well as layup from senior Kerry Brodbeck (Boston, Mass.) before Lasell cut the deficit to 22-15 on a three-ball by sophomore Peyton Young (Douglas, Mass.).

The Falcons extended their margin 24-15 on a layup by Brodbeck, but the Lasers responded (24-18) with a bucket from graduate Imani Bumpus (Dedham, Mass.). The Green and Gold answered back as Marazzi drained a three-pointer to give the hosts a 33-20 advantage with just over three minutes remaining in the first half before junior Dana Ross (East Haven, Conn.) connected on a jumper to make the score 40-29 going into the break.

Fitchburg State upped its lead (46-35) on back-to-back layups from Marazzi before Lasell countered with a pair of free throws by sophomore Megan Sears (Westminster, Mass.) to cut the lead to 46-37. The Falcons took its largest lead of the contest (58-44) on a jumper from senior Hannah Keohan (Lunenburg, Mass.) and two from charity strip by Marazzi.

Both team traded baskets as sophomore Payton Holmes (Carver, Mass.) drained a three-pointer for the Falcons, while Young connected on a jumper for the Lasers (61-47). Fitchburg State secured the victory late in the frame as Brodbeck sank one of two free-throws, resulting in the 73-54 final.

Falcons were paced by Marazzi with a game-best 26 points and five assists. Holmes added career-best 17 points, two caroms and four assists.

The Lasers will host the Lions of Emerson College on Thursday, December 6, for a non-conference tilt at 7:00p.m. The Falcons will travel to Suffolk on the same date to take on the Rams for a non-conference bout, starting at 7:00 p.m.

(Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information)

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