NEW HAVEN, CT- The Lasell College men's basketball team suffered a 91-76 loss to Albertus Magnus College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play on Thursday night.
The Falcons came out strong, generating a nine point lead (16-7) in the first five minutes. Lasell responded with an 11-2 run over the following three minute stretch to tie the game on the heels of a three pointer by Dominik Orlow (Slupsk, Poland). The Lasers built their first lead of the game at 9:19 when Javon Williams (Mattapan, MA) was sent to the line for two. Zach Dugas (Monroe, CT) knotted the score at 22-all in the Falcons next possession, getting an open look under the basket. Lasell would attain an edge over Albertus just once more in the contest, on another Orlow trey, with 7:42 left to play in the first half.
The Lasers kept pace with the Falcons over the next five minutes leading up to a 36-36 tie at 2:40, however, a final 15-5 spurt by Albertus closed the half in the hosts favor, 51-41.
Albertus never trailed in the second half, realizing an 18 point advantage by 13:21 at which point Lasell pulled together a 12-2 stretch to inch back into the game. By 8:18, Lasell had closed within eight points (76-68) after Williams and Sean Bertanza (Seymour, CT) each lodged two shots from the foul line. In the final two minutes, the Lasers were unable to get the ball across the rim while the Falcons executed on 4-of-5 attempts to bring about the 91-76 final score.
Four Falcons scored in double-figures, including two double-double performances by Ray Askew (New Haven, CT) with 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Jefferson Lora (Bronx, NY) with 14 points and 11 boards. Arshad Jackson (Hartford, CT) notched 15 for the victors and Darius Watson (New Britain, CT) tallied 11.
Williams exceeded all other players with 29 points, also contributing 12 rebounds and three assists. Bertanza rung in 20 points and three steals for Lasell and Zachary Campbell (Cape Coral, FL) chipped in with nine points and seven rebounds.
Albertus Magnus is now 9-8 overall and 7-3 in GNAC play. Lasell drops to 4-13 this season, and 3-7 in the league.
On Saturday, January 29th, Lasell will face Emmanuel College in more GNAC action at 3:00 p.m. in the Lasers' Athletic Center.