MBK: Lasell drops non-conference game to Wheaton; Vanderhorst posts double-double

NEWTON, Mass. – Wheaton College rallied for the final nine points of the game in the last two minutes Thursday evening to pull out an 82-77 victory over Lasell University in non-conference men's basketball action at the Lasell Athletic Center.

Junior Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) posted his fourth double-double to lead the Lasers, scoring 26 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. He made 8-of-16 shots from the field and 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Classmate Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.) added 12 points and eight boards, and junior Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) and junior Keith Poitier (Hartford, Conn.) added nine and eight points, respectively.

Wheaton had four players score in double figures, led by senior Alex Dubrow (Foxboro, Mass.) with 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Freshman Aaron Williams (Springfield, Mass.) added 20 points and eight boards, freshman Alex Carlisle (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) was good for 15 points, and freshman Evan Cook (Dunstable, Mass.) dropped in 13 points off the bench.

Lasell had the upper hand in the majority of the first half, leading by as much as 16-5 early on and 20-13 at the midway point. Wheaton battled back to tie the game at 28-all with four minutes to play, and the teams exchanged baskets until the Lasers pulled ahead 39-38 at the half. Vanderhorst had 13 points at the break to lead the home team.

The visitors scored the first five points of the second half and pulled away to a 10-point margin (62-52) with nine minutes on the clock.  After trailing by 12 (66-54) with less than eight minutes remaining, Lasell did not give up and battled back with a 19-5 surge to take a 72-71 lead with three minutes to play. Vanderhorst had eight points in the run, including a traditional three-point play to cap the rally. The teams traded baskets over the next two minutes until Wheaton's game-ending surge.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday, December 7, as Lasell hosts Nichols College at 3 p.m. and Wheaton visits Bridgewater State University for a 1 p.m. tip-off.

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