MBK: Lasell falls to Babson in non-conference match-up; Nunez leads Lasers with 26 points

NEWTON, Mass. – Junior Andrew Jaworski (Tolland, Conn.) registered a double-double Wednesday evening as Babson College defeated Lasell University, 93-70, in non-conference men's basketball action at the Lasell Athletic Center.

Lasell had four of its five starters reach double figures in scoring, led by junior Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.) with 26 points (on 8-of-16 shooting) and a team-high eight rebounds. Junior Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) added 13 points and seven rebounds, classmate Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) finished with 11 points and seven boards, and senior Stefan Masciarelli (Northbridge, Mass.) chipped in with 10 points.

Jaworski drained 10-of-16 from the field and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Beavers. Senior Frank Oftring (North Attleboro, Mass.) made 9-of-12 baskets and finished with 18 points, while junior Crew Ainge (Wellesley, Mass.) was good for 11 points and seven assists and classmate Matt Pattyson (Doylestown, Pa.) contributed 10 points off the bench.

Babson came out red hot and jumped to a 10-point lead (13-3) just four minutes into the game. Lasell pulled to within seven points (15-8) a minute later, but the Beavers ran off 16 unanswered points to go ahead, 31-8. Jaworski had six points for Babson in the rally, and senior Jack Coolahan (Newtown, Pa.) and Pattyson each knocked down a three-pointer.

Lasell answered with an 11-2 run to get back in contention, 33-19, with five minutes to go in the half, thanks to five points from Nunez and four from Masciarelli, but Babson pushed the lead back up to 20 points and led 51-29 at the half.

The Lasers did not quit, and used a 9-1 surge in the second half to again climb to within 14 points, 62-48, keyed by a Friberg three-pointer and a pair of Nunez buckets. Lasell pulled to within 10 points, 68-58, with 8:42 remaining, but a 9-2 Babson run pushed the margin back up to 77-60 with 6:24 on the clock, and the Beavers maintained a double-digit margin the rest of the way.

Babson shot 53.7 percent from the field while Lasell connected on 40 percent of its shots. The Lasers poured in 9-of-26 from three-point range while the Beavers hit on just 4-of-19 from long range. Babson won the rebound battle, 40-35.

Lasell (0-2) will play again on Saturday, November 16, with a non-conference game at Suffolk University (1 p.m.), while Babson (3-0) hosts Salve Regina University Saturday at 2 p.m.

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