Men's Basketball: EJ Day scores 45 in 96-82 loss at Albertus Magnus in GNAC semifinals

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Senior guard EJ Day of the Lasell University men's basketball team tied a career-high with a game-leading 45 points Saturday afternoon, as the third-seeded Lasers fell, 96-82, at second-seeded Albertus Magnus during the semifinals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament.

"We gave it everything we had, but came up a little short tonight," said Lasell University Men's Basketball Head Coach Aaron Galletta. "I am so proud of our seniors. They represented our program and the Lasell community with class and it was an honor coaching them."

The Lasers (15-11, 11-7 GNAC) defeated sixth-seeded Norwich, 69-57, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday evening at the Lasell Athletic Center in front of an outstanding crowd. The Falcons (17-6, 13-3 GNAC) will compete against top-seeded and No. 12-ranked St. Joseph (Conn.) during the conference championship game Sunday at 3 p.m. in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Day set career-highs in made field goals and 3-pointers, as he shot 15 of 26 from the field and 7 for 14 on 3-pointers. He also finished with eight made free throws, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. The 45 points are tied for the second most in a single game in program history. Day scored 45 for the Lasers on Jan. 29, 2020, during a 99-76 triumph over Regis.

Senior guard Kevin Nunez and graduate student Kevin Vanderhorst scored 19 and 10 points, respectively. Vanderhorst ranks No. 1 in program history in career rebounds per game (11.2) and he averaged 12.6 during the 2021-22 season, good for the second-best average in a single season in school history. Nunez shot 7 of 13 from the field and Vanderhorst pulled down nine rebounds. Graduate student Jonathan Friberg grabbed a team-best 11 boards.

The Falcons utilized a balanced attack, as seven players scored in double figures. Tyreek Perkins compiled a team-high 19 points and game-leading six assists, shooting 7 of 13 from the field. Justice Washington posted the game's only double-double with 12 points and a game-leading 17 rebounds. Mekhi Warren and Kevin Crawford combined for 22 points off the bench, shooting 10 of 12 from the field together. Albertus shot 54.5% from the field (36 for 66).

A 3-pointer by Davon Warner gave the Falcons a 23-12 advantage with 11:10 remaining in the first half. Lasell cut the deficit down to five, as Day found Vanderhorst for a layup, making the score, 28-23, with 7:41 on the clock. Day converted a 3-point shot and layup, bringing the visitors to within two at 30-28 with 6:28 left. 

The Falcons were able to extend their lead to 46-37 going into halftime. Day scored 23 first-half points, going 8 of 15 from the field 4 for 8 from beyond the 3-point line. Warner scored 13 points and Washington recorded 10 rebounds for Albertus.

Albertus built a 16-point lead on a jumper by Perkins with 12:22 left in the second half. Lasell responded with an 8-2 surge, cutting the deficit down to 68-58 on a layup by Nunez with 10:54 on the scoreboard. The Falcons extended their lead to 77-60 with 7:41 left, but the Lasers answered again, pulling to within 10 at 83-73 on a free throw by Nunez with 2:39 remaining. The hosts did not allow the visitors to get any closer down the stretch.

The Lasers led points off turnovers, 16-6, second-chance points, 12-9, and fast-break points, 16-13. 

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

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