WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Senior guard EJ Day scored a game-high 21 points and shot 4 of 8 on 3-pointers for the Lasell University men's basketball team during a 90-56 Great Northeast Athletic Conference setback to No. 8-ranked Saint Joseph (Conn.) at the O'Connell Center Tuesday night. 

Day has scored 20 or more points in eight games this season, including four of his last six. He is three points shy of 1,000 for his collegiate career and he ranks second in the conference with a 21.3 points per game average for the Lasers (8-5, 5-2 GNAC).

Freshman guard Conan McCusker made a huge impact for the visitors in the second half, scoring nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from downwtown. Lasell scored 39 points against one of the top Division III teams in the nation during the second half.

Leading the way for the Blue Jays (11-0, 6-0 GNAC) was Jaecee Martin (19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 rebounds). Ryan O'Neill finished with a double-double, featuring 16 points and a game-leading 10 rebounds.

The Jays raced out to a 10-1 lead 2:42 into regulation on a 3-point shot by Martin. Lasell responded with five straight points and cut the deficit down to 10-6 on a coast-to-coast layup by graduate student Kevin Vanderhorst. 

A 3-pointer by Day brought the Lasers to within six at 15-9 midway through the first half. Saint Joseph responded with a 15-3 surge, taking a 30-12 advantage on a layup by Jake Sullivan with 7:10 showing on the scoreboard. The hosts went into halftime with a 48-17 advantage behind 12 points and five assists by Martin.

Senior forward Liam Jacobs and sophomore forward Tate Niemela combined for nine points and seven rebounds during the second half for Lasell. The Jays' starters combined for 29 points in the final 20 minutes to secure the victory.

Lasell's bench scored 23 points, while the hosts shot 53.8% from the field and 54.5% on 3-pointers. 

The Lasers will be back in GNAC action Thursday with a 7:30 game against Elms in the Athletic Center on the campus of Lasell.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu

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