AMHERST, MA- The D3Hoops.com 23rd-ranked Amherst College men's basketball team remained undefeated after cruising to a 108-68 triumph over Lasell College on Tuesday evening. The Lord Jeffs are now on a four game winning-streak to open the season while the Lasers drop to 0-4 after the non-conference tilt.
Lasell's Javon Williams (Mattapan, MA) led all scorers with 19 points, adding four rebounds and three steals. Sophomore guard Sean Bertanza (Seymour, CT) also chipped in with 12 points in the losing effort.
For the Lord Jeffs, fifteen different players scored, with team scoring leader Conor Meehan (Meriden, CT) and Aaaron Toomey (Greensboro, NC) matching with 14 points apiece. Jeff Holmes (Saunderstown, RI) came away with a game-best nine rebounds.
The Jeffs grabbed the lead in the early going and never relented. A dunk by Amherst's David Waller (Tampa, FL) opened the action followed by a David Kalema (Burke, VA) three to put the Lord Jeffs ahead by five under a minute into play. A Williams baseline jumper put Lasell on the board, however the Jeffs launched into a 15-4 run which left Lasell behind 20-6 at the 13 minute mark.
The Amherst lead grew to 20 after a three-point play by Meehan with 6:01 remaining in the half. A final bucket by David Kalema (Burke, VA) gave the hosts a 35 point edge into the locker room with a halftime score of 60-25.
Amherst's smothering defense caused 16 Lasell turnovers in the first half. In the front court, the Jeffs shot an outstanding 61% in the period, connecting on 25-of-41 total field goals, and went a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Lasell countered with just 7-of-23 shots in the half (30.4%) and added in 10 points at the charity stripe (10-12). Meehan topped all scorers with 12 points while Toomey and Kalema had each tallied nine. Williams led for Lasell with eight points and four rebounds in the frame.
After four minutes of the second half, Amherst's lead remained at 35 points, with the Jeffs doubling-up the Lasers, 70-35, on a Meehan reverse layup. Late in the game, the Jeffs reached the century-mark on an Allen Williamson (Saugus, MA) dunk off an offensive board. A final basket by Billy Butler (Brooklyn, NY) gave the hosts an even 40-point spread at the conclusion of the match.
Williams scored 11 second-half points for the Lasers who improved to 46.2% shooting in the period. Overall in the contest, Lasell shot 40% from the field and just 66% from the free throw line.
Following in the ranks for Lasell were Derrick Harper (Boston, MA) and Zachary Campbell (Cape Coral, FL) with eight points apiece. Dominik Orlow (Slupsk, Poland) brought down a team-best seven rebounds.
Lasell continues to play on the road this week when they travel to WPI for their next contest on Thursday, December 2nd, at 7:00 p.m.