Women's Hoops Downs Simmons 71-52

NEWTON, Mass. (2/8/14)- The Lasell College women's basketball team picked up their 10th win of the season with the defeat of the Simmons College Sharks, 71-52, on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Lasers improved to 10-11 this year, and 3-4 in GNAC play, while the Sharks fell to 2-16 overall, and 0-7 in the GNAC. 

Sophomore Molly Lauver (Cambridge, N.Y.), scored a game-high 22 points, handed out five assists and totaled three steals. Lauver shot 8-16 from the field and 6-13 from deep. Classmate Katie Stopera (Hollis, N.H.) tallied 15 points in the victory, grabbing six rebounds and handing out eight assists. Junior Alexis Chappell (Springfield, Mass.) pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds  to go with eight points and sophomore Breeana Williams (Bloomfield, Conn.) chipped in with12 points.

The Sharks offense was led by freshman Liz Brasa (East Hartford, Conn.) as she recorded her first double-double of the season with a team-high 12 rebounds and 12 points. Classmate Ashley McAdams (Freeport, N.Y.) tallied 12 points while pulling down four boards. Senior Hannah May (Hamden, Conn.) recorded three steals, nine points, and five rebounds in the loss. 

Both teams struggled to find their range early in the game as May knocked down a three point jumper for a 5-4 Sharks lead four minutes into the game. The Lasers rallied on an 11-4 run as Williams converted on her first three jumps shots from the field and the run was capped with a deep shot from Stopera, to grab a 15-9 lead midway through the first period. With 7:51 remaining, Lauver and Stopera each hit deep three's to add to their lead 21-11, but the Sharks found their success from the free throw line, to jump in with four of the next six points from Katherine Kroeger (Hollis, N.H.) and McAdams. The Lasers would take a 35-17 lead at the half.

Lasell continued to find their range early in the second half as they used a 9-4 run adding to their lead, 44-21. The Sharks used a 15-5 run of their own to cut the hosts lead to 49-36 after May and Jen Janiak (Chelmsford, Mass.) each were successful from three point range with 11 minutes remaining. Lauver answered back with two three's of her own and the Lasers and they held on for the 71-52 victory.

The Sharks return home to face GNAC opponent Saint Joseph's (Me.) on Tuesday February 11th, at 7:00 p.m., and the Lasers begin a two game road swing as they travel to conference rival, Mount Ida, on Tuesday February 11th, at 6:00 p.m.