Wheaton Outmatches Men's Basketball 65-60

NEWTON, Mass. -- The Lasell College men's basketball team fell to non-conference foe Wheaton College 65-60 in the final minutes Thursday evening at the Athletic Center.

Wheaton's Duaka Ekwensi (Morris Plains, N.J.) led the Lyons with 18 points in the victory to accompany a team-high 12 rebounds, one block, and two steals.

Lasell's Tim Blair (Newington, Conn.) contributed a team-leading 16 points in the loss, grabbing 11 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Lasers would go on an 8-0 run to close out the first half highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers from Stefan Masciarelli (Northbridge, Mass.) and Scott Arsenault (Walpole, Mass.), giving the Lasers a 16 point lead going into the half, 37-21.

The Lyons clawed their way back into the game late in the second half going on an 11-0 run in the final 2:41 of the game to clinch the come-from-behind victory.  Ryan Fogarty (Walpole, Mass.) would give Wheaton a 63-60 lead with 1:23 remaining, connecting on a lay-up before sinking a free throw.  Wheaton outscored Lasell 44-23 during the second half, shooting 51.5 percent (16-31) from the floor.

Masciarelli and Arsenault each tossed in nine points, with Arsenault adding four rebounds. Lasell won the battle on the glass over Wheaton, out-rebounding the Lyons  47-35.

Dannie Moore (Orlando, Fla.) snatched up a game-high 13 rebounds for the Lasers to go along with his 11 points, one block, and one steal.

Lasell is back in action on Saturday afternoon as they host No. 21 Amherst at 3:00p.m. to close out the fall semester. Wheaton heads into Winter Break 8-2 and returns to the court on January 3rd at Clark to open NEWMAC conference play.