MBK: Lasell upended by Worcester State; Nunez, Vanderhorst pace Lasers in setback

WORCESTER, Mass. – Junior Chris Cardoso (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) scored a team-high 23 points Tuesday evening to lead Worcester State University to an 83-73 victory over Lasell University in a non-conference men's basketball contest at John P. Brissette Court.

Junior Kevin Nunez (Dorchester, Mass.) also tossed in 23 points for the Lasers, and classmate Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass.) recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 21 points (on 8-of-13 shooting) and 10 rebounds. Junior Jonathan Friberg (North Attleboro, Mass.) was good for 10 points and Dylan Murray (Williston, Fla.) chipped in with nine points and seven rebound off the Laser bench.

Cardoso was one of four players to score in double figures for the Lancers. Senior Tyler Dion (Barre, Mass.) scored 19 points while also dishing out seven assists, senior Erik Bjorn (Holden, Mass.) added 12 points, and sophomore Corey Olivier (Maynard, Mass.) chipped in with 11. 

The Lancers led 14-10 at the midway point of the first half before going on a 13-6 run to push the lead to 27-16. The home team led by 10 points late in the half but Lasell got baskets by Murray and Nunez in the final minute of the half to trail by just six at the break, 40-34.

The teams went back and forth early in the second half until Lasell tied it up at 42-all after a pair of free throws by Nunez. The Lasers pulled ahead 45-44 after a traditional three-point play by Friberg with 15:35 remaining. It was a one or two-possession game for the next 10 minutes, and Lasell pulled ahead 66-64 with 5:35 to go.

Worcester State came on strong in the last five minutes, outscoring the visitors 19-7 to pull out the win.

Lasell will wrap up the semester on Thursday, December 12, with a non-conference game at Husson University (6:00 p.m.). Worcester State will return to action on Thursday, January 2, 2020, against Roger Williams University.

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