Lasers Upended by Wildcats

Providence, R.I. - Johnson & Wales University posted a 77-59 Great Northeast Athletic Conference victory over the Lasell College men's basketball team, at the Harborside Recreation Center on Saturday afternoon.  Javon Williams(Mattapan, MA) registered his ninth season double-double for the Lasers, putting up twenty points and collecting thirteen rebounds.

The teams fought through the early stages of the game which culminated in a two point Wildcat lead, 20-18, with 8:37 on the clock.  Johnson & Wales then used a 17-4 run to take a 37-22 advantage.  The hosting Wildcats took a 37-25 lead heading into the locker rooms at halftime.

Upon returning to action, the Wildcats extended their lead to 20 points, 45-25, with 18:00 on the clock.  Lasell fell behind by as much as 23 points in the second half before relinquishing a 77-59 final score. 

Lasell shot just 27% in the first half, but improved to 40% in the second, while the Wildcats were hot throughout, shooting 42% in the first and 54% in the second.  The Lasers did hold a 46-41 edge in rebounding, but also committed 25 turnovers to the Wildcats 17.

Johnson & Wales sophomore Lamonte Thomas (Providence, RI) scored a game-high 26 points and added eight rebounds and three assists.  Junior Louis Ferreras (Providence, RI) tallied 14 points and six rebounds while freshman Matt Williams (Providence, RI) was also double figures with 13 points and three assists in the victory for the Wildcats.

Lasell's  freshman forward Deshawn Dell (Boston, MA) tallied eight points with a corresponding eight rebounds in the defeat and freshman guard Aaron Bray (Boston, Mass.) and senior guard Charles Horton (Detroit, MI) combined for 16 points.

With the victory, Johnson & Wales improves to 10-11 for the year, 7-7 in the GNAC while Lasell falls to 8-13, 6-8 in league play.  

Lasell will host Emerson College on Wednesday, February 10th, at 7:00 p.m. in their next season contest.