Men's Hoops Powers Past Rivier 105-85 to Remain Unbeaten in GNAC Play

(Nashua, N.H.) The Lasell men's basketball team remained undefeated in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action with a 105-85 win over Rivier University on Saturday afternoon in the Muldoon Gymnasium. The win bumps the Lasers to 15-4 on the year and 12-0 in league play, while the loss sends Rivier to 3-16 overall and 3-9 in the conference.

STAT LEADERS FOR LASELL 

Lasell received a 37 point performance from Armin Omanovic (Wilkesboro, N.C.) and a pair of double-doubles from Pat Marchand (Cranston, R.I.) and Yordan Villalon (Miami, Fla.) to keep pace with Johnson & Wales in the GNAC standings. Omanovic was just 8-for-16 from the floor but more importantly was 18-for-23 from the charity stripe in leading the Lasers. Marchand finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Villalon had 21 points and 11 rebounds coming off the bench. Villalon also went to the line 21 times where he connected on 14.

STAT LEADERS FOR RIVIER 

Junior Kevin Francis (Cromwell, Conn.) shot 8-of-14 from the floor to lead the team with 21 points and senior Anthony Simmons (Stamford, Conn.) added 18 points on 6-of-10 to buoy the Raider offense. Sophomore Victor Davilla (Guaynabo, P.R.) and freshman Isaiah Ruffen (Haverhill, Mass.) chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Senior Cullen Donovan (Wethersfield, Conn.) added eight points in a reserve effort for Rivier.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first half featured five ties and three lead changes to evenly match the first 20 minutes of play as Villalon connected on a free throw to send the Lasers into the halftime break holding a slim 45-41 lead. 

The Lasers switched momentum and poured in 60 points on 68.2% shooting from the floor in the second half to power away from the Raiders. Rivier would pull within one possession in the opening plays of half two, however, Omanovic answered the attack with a freebie and a deep basket from long range to set the Lasers up 49-43.

With 17:05 left to go in regulation, the Raiders connected on a jumper to tie the game up at 51-all, however Omanovic and Arsenault teamed up for consecutive three pointers to give Lasell a substantial 62-51 advantage. With 1:26 on the game clock, freshman George Foti (Oneonta, N.Y.) sunk a deep shot from three-point territory for Lasell's largest lead of the game, en route to the 12th straight conference win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

The Lasers shot 52.8% from the field, 40.0% from three-point range, and an impressive 70.7% (41-of-58) from the charity stripe. The Lasers dominated the glass 47-26 and held a 14-6 advantage on second chance points.

WHAT'S NEXT 

The Lasers will return to the Athletic Center for a home contest against the undefeated Wildcats in a battle for first place on Wednesday with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. Next up for the Raiders is a home date with Albertus Magnus College on Wednesday evening as well at 7:00 p.m.