NEWTON, Mass. – While the majority of the 2020-21 Lasell University men's basketball season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lasers will have an opportunity to take the court this weekend in official games against outside competition.

The Lasers will face local rival Babson College in a pair of games this Saturday and Sunday, February 27-28, at 4:00 p.m. at Babson's Staake Gymnasium in Babson Park, Mass. The games can be viewed online at babsonsportsnetwork.com, with links available on both teams' websites.

The games will be played under NCAA, local, and campus pandemic guidelines, including COVID testing during the week prior to the games, no spectators for either team, and all players wearing masks on the court and sideline during the contest.

"We are very thankful to be playing games this season," said Lasell veteran head coach Aaron Galletta. "The players' commitment to the program and to getting better each day has not changed, despite the current conditions. The team has been adhering to all local and campus health and safety protocols and we are very anxious to get back onto the court in these upcoming games.  It is a great opportunity for these players to compete against outside competition, and for our fans to see our returning players back in action and to welcome some new faces as well."

While the games will mark the season opener for Lasell, the Beavers took to the court for two games last weekend against New England College, defeating the Pilgrims, 80-69, Saturday at Babson, and 80-73, Sunday in Henniker, N.H.

The Lasers return four starters and nine veterans from last year's team, including two All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference Third Team selections in senior forward Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) and junior guard EJ Day (Norwalk, Conn.). Vanderhorst averaged 15.9 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for the Lasers, shooting 50 percent from the field (161-of-322) and 41.9 percent from three-point range (36-of-86). Day averaged 25.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 16 games after becoming active at the mid-season break. He shot 48.4 percent from the field (132-of-273) and 43.3 percent from three-point range (45-of-104).

Senior forward Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) and senior guard Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.) are also key returning starters. Friberg averaged 11 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, shooting 54.3 percent from the field (119-of-219), while Nunez averaged 16.1 points and 4.8 boards per outing, connecting on 45.1 percent from the field (155-of-344). 

-- 30 --