WBB: Lasers Beat Rivier, Tie Program Record for Longest Winning Streak

Photo Credit - Matt Johnson
Photo Credit - Matt Johnson

Nashua, NH - The Lasell University Lasers defeated the Rivier Raiders on Wednesday by a final score of 68-61. With the win the Lasers are now 11-6 on the season, and 5-2 in GNAC play, while the Raiders are now 6-12 and 4-4. The 11 wins mark the most wins in a season for the Lasers since 2015-16. The win was the Lasers' fifth consecutive win, tying the program record. The record of five was set in 2003, and then tied in 2005.

In an incredibly close first half, the two teams went back and forth, causing six lead changes, with neither team leading by more than six. The two teams ended both the first and second quarters tied, as it was 14-14 after one, and 26-26 at the break.

The Raiders ran out to a seven point lead three minutes into the third quarter with a 9-2 run. After a Lasers bucket, the Raiders then extended the lead even further with a 6-0 run, giving them a 41-30 lead. But a pair of three pointers, one each from Kiara Cerruti and Shirle Major stopped the bleeding, and kept the Lasers in the game. They weathered the storm, and then ended the quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 46-45 lead into the fourth. The fourth quarter was no different than the rest of the game, as the two teams traded baskets and the lead. With just a minute remaining in the game, and the score tied at 61, Shirle Major hit her second three pointer of the game to give the Lasers the lead. They would play strong defense the rest of the way, and make four of six free throws to ice the game, winning 68-61.

The Lasers were led by Kiara Cerruti's career high tying 21 points. She also grabbed seven rebounds, trailing only Laura Johnson's 11 and Blaize Mack's eight. The lone other double-digit scorer for the Lasers was Shirle Major, as she scored 12. Brooke Damboise had three assists, while Mia Sullivan-Sanders and Jasmine DePina each had three steals. Sullivan-Sanders also had eight points.

Up Next - The Lasers will look to break the school record for consecutive wins on Saturday when they host Regis at 2pm.