Men's Basketball: Lasers outlast Norwich, 69-57, in GNAC quarterfinals

NEWTON, Mass. - Graduate student Kevin Vanderhorst of the third-seeded Lasell University men's basketball team compiled 18 points and a game-high 17 rebounds during a 69-57 triumph over sixth-seeded Norwich in the quarterfinals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday evening in the Athletic Center.

"It was a great playoff atmosphere," said Lasell University Men's Basketball Head Coach Aaron Galletta. "I want to thank our student body for its support tonight. They gave our guys energy all night long. They were great. Our seniors stepped up in the second half and made huge plays down the stretch. Vanderhorst, EJ Day and Kevin Nunez were tremendous."

With the victory, the Lasers advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament and are scheduled to play second-seeded Albertus Magnus Friday at 7:30 p.m. in New Haven, Connecticut.

Vanderhorst shot 7 of 14 from the field and 2 for 5 on 3-pointers. Day scored a game-high 24 points for the Lasers (15-10, 11-7 GNAC). He scored 19 second-half points, shooting 7 of 14 from the field, 3 for 8 on 3-pointers and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line. Lasell held a 38-23 advantage in points during the final 20 minutes, as the unit shot 48.5% from the field (48.5%) in the second half.

Nunez scored 12 points, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. He was outstanding on the defensive end, recording a game-high five steals. Graduate student Jonathan Friberg pulled down 10 boards and senior forward Almando Marinez scored seven points off the bench, shooting 3 for 6 from the field.

Owen Liss scored a team-high 13 points off the bench, shooting 6 of 7 from the field and 1 for 1 on 3-pointers, for the Cadets (15-12, 9-8 GNAC). Norwich defeated 11th-seeded Rivier, 65-63, in the first round Tuesday.

The Cadets raced out to a 10-2 lead 3:19 into the first half on a layup by Jalen Olivero. A trey by Olivero gave the visitors a 15-4 advantage with 15:33 on the scoreboard.

The Lasers answered back, trimming the deficit down to 24-23 on a 3-pointer by Vanderhorst with 9:22 remaining. Norwich took a 34-31 lead into halftime.

Lasell came flying out of the gates in the second half, scoring 19 of the first 23 points. Nunez tallied a defensive steal, and then posted a highlight-reel dunk through contact. Vanderhorst grabbed an offensive rebound off the ensuing missed free throw and finished a layup, giving the hosts a 50-38 cushion with 14:20 left.

A 7-0 surge by Norwich cut the deficit down to five with 10:35 showing. Vanderhorst buried a crucial three-ball with 5:20 on the clock, putting Lasell in front, 61-49. The Lasers did not allow Norwich to get closer than eight the rest of the way.

Lasell forced 25 turnovers and only committed five of its own. The Lasers posted a season-high 13 steals. The hosts won points off turnovers, 24-5, second-chance points, 15-4, points in the paint, 36-30, and assists, 12-7.

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

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