New London, CT - The Lasell Women's Basketball team opened their GNAC play on Saturday with a 78-64 win over the Mitchell Mariners. The Lasers are now 4-3 overall, and 1-0 in GNAC play, while the Mariners are 2-4 and 0-1.

The Lasers built an 11-4 lead midway through the first quarter, and held that lead until late in the quarter. The Mariners scored the final four points in the quarter, sending the game into the second with Lasell holding a 15-13 lead. The Mariners continued their run into the second with four more points, giving them a lead of 17-15. After things were tied at 21 each, the Lasers went on an 11-2 run, punctuated bya Shirle Major three pointer. The Lasers led 32-25 at the break.

The Lasers were able to slowly build their lead in the third to as much as 13. After the Mariners cut it to seven, Kiara Cerruti hit a timely three pointer to stop the bleeding. The Lasers then grabbed momentum on the back of Erica Lendall, as she hit a three pointer with 12 seconds remaining in the quarter, then stole the ball on the Mariners next possesion, and then made a lay up as the buzzer sounded, giving Lasell a 53-40 lead headed into the final quarter. The Lasers were never really challenged in the fourth, and cruised to a 78-64 win.

A big difference in this game was the rebounding, as the Lasers outrebounded the Mariners 45-29. There were three players key to that advantage, as Mia Sullivan-Sanders (12), Blaize Mack (11), and Laura Johnson (9) helped dominate the boards. It was a well rounded attack on offense as well, with five double-digit scorers, led by Kiara Cerruti's 18. Mack and Sullivan-Sanders each recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points each. Johnson and Shirle Major each had 10 points.

Up Next - The Lasers will continue play on Tuesday when the travel to Wellesley for a 7pm start.