Men's Basketball: Kevin Vanderhorst reaches 1,000-point milestone in 82-74 win at Elms

CHICOPEE, Mass. - Graduate student Kevin Vanderhorst finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and scored his 1,000th collegiate during an 82-74 victory in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action at Elms Thursday evening.

Vanderhorst entered the game with 999 collegiate points and reached the 1,000-milestone on a shot 4:52 into regulation for the Lasers (12-7, 9-4 GNAC). The Lawrence, Massachusetts, native also set a program record with 27 rebounds in a 78-48 triumph over Colby-Sawyer on Jan. 22.

Senior guard EJ Day scored a game-high 30 points, shooting 11 of 22 from the field and 4 of 9 on 3-pointers, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. The 11 made field goals tied a season-high for Day. Senior guard Kevin Nunez recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while tying a season-high five assists. He shot 8 of 13 from the field. Junior guard Demerrick Warren (9 points) shot 3 of 8 from 3-point range off the bench.

"We made just enough plays to get a win," said Lasell University Men's Basketball Head Coach Aaron Galletta. "EJ really got us going in the first half and Kevin Nunez had some key rebounds down the stretch to extend some possessions. After all he has been through during his career, it was really nice to see Kevin Vanderhorst score his 1,000th point. To score it on his patented spin move was fitting."

The Blazers (2-15, 2-10 GNAC) received double-digit scoring efforts from five players, featuring Tahquell Cadle (16 points, 7 rebounds), Justin Feliciano (14 points), Jaijuan Macklin (12 points), D.J. Edelen (12 points) and Roy Mckeithen (12 points). Cadle shot 8 of 12 from the field.

Elms scored the first five points of the game, and then Day ended an 8-2 surge with a 3-point shot for the Lasers, giving the visitors an 8-7 lead with 16:19 left in the opening half. The Blazers took an 18-15 advantage on a mid-range jumper by Macklin. Lasell responded with 12 consecutive points and built a 27-18 lead on a layup by Nunez with 5:45 on the clock. A jumper by Macklin with nine seconds on the scoreboard trimmed Lasell's advantage to 40-34 heading into halftime.

The Blazers took their only lead of the second half at 44-43 on a layup by Cadle with 15:30 remaining. Day, Vanderhorst and Nunez combined for 28 points and 10 rebounds in the final 20 minutes. A layup by Day with 2:38 on the clock put the visitors in front, 78-70, and Lasell did not allow Elms to get closer than five the rest of the way.

Both teams shot well from the field, as Lasell went 31 of 63 (49.2%) and Elms finished 32 for 68 (47.1%). The Lasers led points in the paint, 40-30, and rebounds, 36-30.

The Lasers swept the season series against the Blazers, as Lasell defeated visiting Elms, 112-55, on Jan. 24.

Lasell will welcome Johnson & Wales to the Athletic Center Saturday for a 4 p.m. GNAC game.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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