Rams Set the Tone Early, Defeat Lasell, 70-50

NEWTON, MA-  The Suffolk University Rams cruised to a 70-50 women's basketball victory over the Lasell College Lasers on Saturday night in Great Northeast Athletic Conference competition. The Rams set the tone early, taking a quick lead they would never relinquish as they secured their 14th season and 8th conference victory of the year.  

Suffolk's Jennifer Ruys (Wallingford, Ct) launched the Rams on a 7-0 run through the first two minutes which set the pace for the entire contest.  Lasell got on the board in the 17th minute when Kayla Vincelette (Westport, MA) took a kick out from JoAnna Bishop (So. Burlington, VT) in the post but the Rams pushed upwards of a 10 point lead by 15:28. 

Between the 11th and the 9th minute, Suffolk took their largest lead of the half after a 13-2 run spread the margin to 21 (31-10).  The Rams did not miss a shot in that stretch, collecting two three-pointers from Jacqueline Vienneau (Salem, NH) plus one trey and a bucket from Andrea Suffredini (Milford, MA).  

Lasell slowly clawed their way back into the game, using a 14-3 run over the last seven minutes of the half to make it a ten point game at the break, 34-24.  Kim Archibald (Lewiston, ME) scored six of those points while Bishop and Vincelette split the remainder of the buckets heading into halftime. 

Ruys led in the points column at the intermission with 11 and Suffredini added seven for the visitors.  Bishop, Archibald, and Vincelette each had six points at the break on the home team's side. 

The Lasers got just five points in the first five minutes of second period as the Rams went on a tear to take a 20 point lead, 49-29, at 15:02.  A Lindsey Rogers (Glouchester, MA) free throw at the 15 minute mark sealed the 20 point margin. Suffolk hit its peak at 12:57 when Meghan Black (Roslindale, MA) connected on a driving layup to take a 22 point lead.  

The pesky Lasers would not resign from the conference tilt without a fight and mounted a brief rally behind senior guard Tracy Elwell (Watertown, MA) who knocked down a a three to bring the Lasers back within 15 (54-39) at the ten minute mark.  With 6:16 on the clock, Bishop hit four points on two freebies and a jumper to bring the Lasers within 14 points, but that was as close as the Lasers would get.  The Rams lead grew to over 20 points in the final five minutes on more than one occasion before Tara Gallagher (Swampscott, MA) locked up the contest with a final free throw to bring about the 70-50 Suffolk win.

Suffolk (14-6, 8-1 GNAC) controlled the glass, out rebounding Lasell 49-36.  The visitors also outshot the Lasers consistently through the contest, producing on 45% (13-29) of their first half and 45.5% (15-33) of their second half attempts. As a team, Lasell shot just over 32% (20-62) in the entire match, and just 12.5% (1-8) from beyond the arc.  

Ruys completed the contest as the high-scorer, hitting on 7-of-11 shots for 17 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.  Black scored 12 points for Suffolk, while also contributing with five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks and Vienneau put up 10 points, grabbed seven boards, and dished out four assists.

Vincelette and Bishop were the top producers for Lasell on the scoreboard.  Vincelette knocked down 14 points, adding four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.  Bishop finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.  Archibald coordinated seven points with seven rebounds and Ashley Slattery (Weymouth, MA) complimented six points with six rebounds.

Lasell (1-19, 0-8 GNAC) will hit the road on Tuesday, February 8th for their next GNAC contest against Pine Manor College.  The Lasers and the Gators will meet up at 7:00 p.m.