Schenectady, N.Y. – The Lasell University Lasers men's basketball team shot the lights out to defeat the Union College (New York) Dutchman, 78-66, Saturday afternoon at Viniar Athletic Center.
Senior EJ Day (Norwalk, Conn.) led all scorers with 28 points on an efficient 9 of 13 from the field and four of five from three. Graduate student Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) dominated on the boards grabbing 15 rebounds, and he added 13 points for the double-double.
Graduate student Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) added 13 points and freshman Conan McCusker (Dorchester, Mass.) scored 10 points off the bench.
Senior Mike Manley (Pleasantville, N.Y.) led the Dutchman with 16 points and added four steals. Senior Brian Noone (Stamford, Conn.) scored 12 points and led Union with five steals and sophomore Luke McGarrity (Ridgefield, Conn.) scored 12 points off the bench.
The first half was a tightly contested affair with both teams unable to separate themselves on the scoreboard. Lasell held the lead for much of the first half but much of the half was played within three-points. The Lasers did manage to get the lead to eight on a Day three-pointer with two minutes remaining in the half. Union then scored eight of the last eleven points to make it a three-point Lasell lead at halftime.
The first 12 and a half minutes of the second half were much like the first. Both teams could not get separation, but the Lasers held the lead. Starting with a layup by Friberg, the Lasers started to gain that separation they needed. Another layup by Friberg, a jump shot by senior Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.), and a three-pointer and free throw by Day spurred a 10-0 run. The Dutchman got it under 10 points on a three by Manley but following a jumper by Vanderhorst with two minutes remaining the lead never fell below that mark again.
The Lasers shot very well from the field making 30 of their 55 attempts and made nine of their 16 three-point attempts. Union struggled from the field making 23 of their 61 attempts and made nine of their 26 attempts from behind the arc. Lasell had a six rebound advantage and held a 10-point edge in points in the paint.
The Lasers will be back in action when they play host to Eastern Nazarene on November 16. The non-conference clash is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m.