Williams Sets New Record Scoring 45 Points in Lasers' Come From Behind Victory

Javon Williams (Mattapan, MA) was hero of the game, setting a new Lasell all-time record of 45 points in a single game, while also tearing down 16 rebounds and adding three assists and three blocks.  Williams' performance led the Lasers to their first victory in the past eight games and improved the teams overall record to 5-16 and their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) slate to 4-10. 

Emerson started the game with a 12-0 run which extended to a 39-17 lead with five minutes to play in the first half.  Williams nearly single-handedly kept Lasell alive with 19 points as the teams broke for the intermissions with a 12 point margin, 46-34.

Williams put on a show in the second half to tally the remaining 26 points through a combination of layups and free throws.   The Lasers moved ahead for the first time at 6:15, but the Lions rallied to regain control of the scoreboard, 74-73, at the four minute mark.  

A pair of freebies by Williams left Lasell still in arrears, 76-75, with 1:38 left, at which point Bertanza stepped up to score the game-changing bucket.  A turnover on Emerson's end gave them no choice but to foul, sending Jordan Fuller (Oviedo, FL) to the line, who hit the first free throw to bring about final score.  Emerson had two chances to score in the final ticks of the game, but neither fell. 

Bertanza joined Williams in double figures with 13 points.  Williams ended the game having hit 15-of-25 shots from field goal range and 15-of-18 from the stripe.  

Carlos Negrete (Mission Viejo, CA) led Emerson with 17 points off the bench.  Bilali Kalilou-Mack (Windsor, CT) added 14, Kabir Moss (Chico, CA) had 11 and Nate Firn (Wadesboro, NC) had 10 in the defeat.  Emerson's Drew Venter had the unusual double-double of 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

Lasell returns to GNAC road action on Saturday, February 12 at current conference leaders' St. Joseph's College of Maine for a 3:00 p.m. tipoff.