MEN’S HOOPS SUFFERS LOSS AT BABSON

Babson Park, Mass.-  Senior Zach Etten (Hollis, NH) scored 20 points and secured 11 rebounds as Babson battled back from a first half deficit to defeat the Lasers, 71-66, on Thursday evening, at Staake Gymnasium. 

 Lambros Papalambros (Quincy, Mass.) started Babson out as he was sent solo down the court on a long pass from Etten to be the first to put points on the board.  Lasell turned the tide on the Beavers, at 17:08, first tying the game with as Kevin Richard (New Orleans, LA) drove to the hoop through traffic for a bucket, then a successive three pointer by Brad Caravoulias (Dracut, Mass.) gave the Lasers command of the board.

The Beavers, shooting just 33.3% in the first half, did not allow the Lasers to take more than a single digit advantage through the period.  Papalambros closed the gap with his only three pointer of the game, bringing Babson within one point, but a turnaround jumper by Jose Guitian (Miami, FL) followed by a Laser steal and a roll shot by Corey Godfrey (Cambridge, Mass.) in the paint, which pushed the Lasers' lead back up to five.

As the eight minute mark approached, consecutive hoops by Junior Sainval (Miami, FL) and Caravoulias gave the Lasers their largest lead of the game, at 23-15. 

Late foul trouble on Lasell gave Babson the opportunity to catch up to the visiting Lasers.  Papalambros hit a free throw with 99 seconds left in the half followed by a three pointer by Eric White (Hyattsville, MD) to bring the game to 24-28.  After a Laser turnover and an up and under by Etten plus the extra point on the Beavers end, Babson made it a one point game. 

With five seconds on the clock, Sainval nailed a jumper from the top of the key and closed out the half 30-27, Lasers lead.

Babson opened with a 5-0 run to switch the advantage in their favor, at 34-30.  Lasell found themselves down by seven with 13:39 left to play.  At the midway point of the half, a reverse layup by Guitian underneath change the momentum in Lasell's favor and the visitors took advantage. 

Guitian sank a three to bring the game within two points, then a consecutive three by Caravoulias put the Lasers in control once again.  Papalambros returned Babson's lead with two foul shots, and within the next two minutes the Beavers revisited their seven point edge.

With two minutes until the finish, Caravoulias hit his third three point bucket and brought the Lasers within two.  The Beavers struggled with the Lasers full court press a bit, pulling time of the shot clock, however, Etten leaned into a last second jump shot to pull ahead, 69-65, with 90 seconds left.

Horton drew contact as he penetrated the lane and hit one of two shots in the bonus.  An offensive foul on Etten gave Lasell possession and the chance at tying the game off a three by Guitian, but was unsuccessful, and the Lasers were forced to foul.  Etten and Pat Belniak each hit one at the line to put the game out of reach for Lasell at 71-66.

Caravoulias ended with 17 points and two blocks while Guitian contributed 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Richard threw in 8 points, six assists, and 4 rebounds and Sainval dropped in 11 additional points.

Babson enters the break with a 6-3 record, and will resume play in California after the New Year.  Lasell picks up GNAC play on Saturday, December 13th, at 2:00 p.m., when they face St. Joseph's College (ME) on their home court.  Both Lasell (4-4) and St. Joseph's (6-1) are undefeated in the GNAC so far this season, each with two wins.