Lasell Men’s Basketball nips Regis in home opener

NEWTON, Mass. – Junior Stefan Masciarelli (Northbridge, Mass.) hit a runner in the lane with five seconds remaining Monday evening as Lasell College rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit to defeat Regis College, 72-71, in non-conference men's basketball action at the Lasell Athletic Center.

Lasell posted its first win of the season, moving to 1-1, while Regis dropped its season opener to fall to 0-1.

Masciarelli finished with a game-high 34 points to lead the Lasers, while sophomore Dylan Murray (Williston, Fla.) added 13 points and sophomore Angel Reyes (Miami Gardens, Fla.) chipped in with nine points. Junior Ben Bossuet (Hyde Park, Mass.) and sophomore Vic Collazo (Clearwater, Fla.) reached double figures in rebounds with 11 and 10, respectively.

Senior Ademola Afonja (Staten Island, N.Y.) led the Pride with 19 points, and classmate Shawn Wedderburn (Bronx, N.Y.) added 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Junior Dimitri Rosa (Tiverton, R.I.) and sophomore Juvens Dalger (Sunrise, Fla.) added nine points apiece and junior Josh Germain (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) chipped in with eight points.

Regis had a 45-27 lead at the half, and held a 55-34 margin with 15 minutes remaining in the second half before Lasell rallied back. A three-pointer and a pair of free throws by Murray started the comeback. After a put-back by Bossuet, Masciarelli made seven straight Laser points to cut the margin to 60-48 with just under 12 minutes remaining.

Masciarelli hit a three-pointer with 9:30 to play as Lasell got the margin down to single digits (62-55), and a three by Murray sliced the deficit to 64-62 with 7:25 to play. Each team scored just one point over the next four minutes until a dunk by Afonja pushed the Regis lead back to four points, 67-63, with 3:45 to play.

After the teams traded baskets, Masciarelli's lay-up with 45 seconds on the clock pulled the Lasers to within one point, 71-70. Both teams had chances in the final minute, but Masciarelli's lay-up in the closing seconds proved to be the game-winner. Regis, with no timeouts remaining, had one last chance but a last-second shot bounced off the rim.

Lasell is home again on Wednesday, hosting Babson College in a non-conference matchup at 7:00 p.m. Regis is right back on the court Tuesday with a visit to Curry College (6:00 p.m.)

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