MBB: Lasers Win in OT, Clinch Home Playoff Game

Newton, MA - The Lasell Men's Basketball team overcame a slow start on Saturday to defeat Elms, and clinch a home playoff game with a 73-70 overtime win. The Lasers end the regular season with a 16-9 record, and 10-4 in GNAC play, while the Blazers end their season 5-20 and 3-11.

The Lasers got off to a very slow start, as the Blazers led 11-0 six minutes into the game. The Blazers extended their lead to as many as 15 at 29-14, but the Lasers went on an 11-2 run to get back into the game, and trailed 33-27 at the break. The teams would go back and forth in the second half, and the Lasers went up 60-56 with just under four minutes left. After a two minute scoreless stretch, things got interesting. The Lasers went up by five on a Che Hanks three pointer with just under a minute left, but the Blazers responded with a three of their own. After the Lasers went 1-2 from the free throw line, the Blazers made a quick lay up, and then stole the ball with eight seconds left, trailing by just one. A foul by the Lasers put Elms on the line. They would miss the first, but make the second, tying the game at 66. A Hanks three pointer at the buzzer was off, and the game headed to OT.

The Lasers scored the first five points of the extra period, and would hold onto it. A half court heave by the Blazers at the buzzer was no good, giving the Lasers a 73-70 win.

Marcus Lewis and Che Hanks led the offense with 20 and 18 points each. Karim Belhouchet was the lone other double-digit scorer with 15 off the bench. Lewis also led the team with nine rebounds. Both Hanks and Demerrick Warren had six assists.

Up Next - The Lasers will host Norwich in the first round of the playoffs as the #4 seed on Tuesday at 7pm.