BABSON PARK, Mass. – The Lasell University men's basketball team made its 2021 season debut Saturday afternoon and gave Babson College a formidable challenge, but the Beavers held on for an 80-72 victory in non-conference action inside Babson's Staake Gymnasium.

Senior Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.), who poured in 26 points against Babson in last year's game, led the Lasers with 24 points and seven rebounds on Saturday, converting 11-of-20 field goal attempts. Junior EJ Day (Norwalk, Conn.) added 19 points, six rebounds and six assists on 7-of-14 shooting, while senior Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) added 11 points and six boards.

The other two members of the Laser starting lineup, senior Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) and sophomore Demerrick Warren (Deerfield, Fla.) contributed eight points each as the starters accounted for 70 of the team's 72 points.

The hosts made 15 three-pointers in the game, including nine in the first half, while Lasell managed to convert just four baskets from long range. After leading by three at halftime, Babson opened up a double-digit lead in the second half but Lasell rallied to pull to within six points in the final minute of the game before the Beavers held on for the win.

Senior Andrew Jaworski led all scorers with 25 points and seven assists for Babson, knocking down 10-of-21 shots and 4-of-9 from three-point range. Junior James Welch made 5-of-8 from long range and finished with 17 points, and classmate Colin Bradanese added 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Lasell had the advantage much of the first 10 minutes, leading 20-13 at the midway point of the half, but Babson rattled off 13 unanswered points, including three consecutive three-pointers by Welch, to take a 26-20 margin. Warren and Day made back-to-back threes for Lasell to tie the game at 35-all with three minutes to play in the half, and Jaworski converted a tie-breaking three-pointer in the final minute of the half to put the Beavers up 42-39 at the break.

Babson maintained the lead in the second half, pulling out to a double-digit margin, 63-51, on a three-pointer by Matt Pattyson with 11:27 on the clock. The hosts seemed in control with a 14-point lead (73-59) with just over five minutes to go, but the Lasers would not go down without a battle. Lasell outscored the home team 9-3 over the next three minutes to pull to within eight points with two minutes to go. The Lasers got to within six (78-72) in the final minute but Babson held on for the win.

Babson improves to 3-0 on the season while Lasell opens the season at 0-1. The two teams will play again on Sunday at Babson, beginning at 4:00 p.m at Staake Gymnasium.

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