SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – Senior Amanda Ortiz (Newton, Mass.) tallied a game-high 18 points to lead a group of four players who scored in double figures Saturday afternoon as Lasell University defeated Mount Holyoke College, 67-34, in the women's basketball season opener for both schools at Howard Gymnasium.

Ortiz made 7-of-9 field goal attempts, including a pair of three-pointers, while pulling down a team-best eight rebounds. She was joined in double-digit scoring by senior D'Asia Allen (Providence, R.I.), who tossed in 14 points, while junior Peyton Young (Douglas, Mass.) had 11 and classmate Precious Montgomery (Bridgeport, Conn.) totaled 10 points.

Junior forward Annika Brooks (Portland, Maine) netted 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the home team. Katlyn Grover (Bernardston, Mass.) chipped in 11 points and four rebounds and Ellie Hayward (Westmoreland, N.H.) collected nine rebounds and four points.

Mount Holyoke shot 22.7 percent (15-for-66) in the setback, while the Lasers were 26-of-58 (44.8%) in the victory. The Lyons outrebounded Lasell, 45-44.

The hosts led 10-8 late in the first quarter before Lasell closed out the frame with a 15-0 run to lead 23-10 after one. Ortiz scored six points in the Laser rally and Young added five. The Lasers extended the lead to 30 -12 midway through the second quarter, and the Laser defense kept the Lyons at bay the rest of the stanza to go to the locker room with a 39-12 advantage.

The Lasers maintained a sizeable lead throughout the second half and the Lyons never threatened. Lasell went on to post a win in its season opener for the fourth year in a row.

Lasell plays another non-conference road game on Tuesday, November 12, with a visit to Elms College for a 7 p.m. match-up. Mount Holyoke College will be home again on Tuesday, hosting Worcester State University at 7 p.m. 

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