Anna Maria Slips Past Lasell in Women’s Basketball Home Finale

Newton, Mass. (2/14/13) – Anna Maria College slipped past Lasell College, 64-60 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference women's basketball game at the Lasell Athletic Center on Thursday night. The AMCATS improved to 5-19 on the season and 1-10 in the league, while the Lasers fell to 9-15 on the year and 4-8 in conference contests. 

Senior Kim Archibald (Lewiston, Maine) led the Lasers with 10 points, she also grabbed seven rebounds to go with her four assists and three steals to close out her home career at Lasell College. Nikita Soares (Westport, Mass.) netted a team-high 14 points, Alexis Chappell (Springfield, Mass.) registered nine points, four rebounds and three steals, while Autencio led the Lasers with eight rebounds to accompany her eight points, four assists, and three steals in the losing effort. 

Sophomore guard Katie Pryor (Whitinsville, Mass.) netted a game-high 27 points to help the AMCATS to their first conference win. Junior guard Taylor Walker (Winchendon, Mass.) also had a game-high 12 rebounds, along with six points, two assists, and three steals, while Liz Sama (Windsor, Conn.) registered 13 points and sophomore guard Kaitlyn Patno (Lunenburg, Mass.) contributed to the win with 11 points. 

The game was a back-and-forth affair featurin many ties and lead changes, that saw neither team hold an advantage bigger than five points.

The AMCATS were able to start the game with a pair of threes from Kaitlyn Patno and Katie Pryor.  The Lasers kept things close though as Chappell, Archibald and Kayla Vincelette all scored early into the contest to knot the game at 6-6.  Pryor was able to give the AMCATS the biggest lead of the first half as she drained a three to make it 15-10.  The Lasers scored 8 unanswered points midway in the half to regain the lead 26-23 with 8:37 remaining in the half. The two teams were tied going into the break at 31-31. Anna Maria's Sama led all players with 11 points, while Archibald paced the Lasers with 8.

The Lasers were able to jump out to a 4-point lead behind baskets from Autencio and Archibald, but the AMCATS answered by tying the game at 35-35.  Both teams battled back and forth with the lead as Lauver, Patno, and Justine Ryan (Norwood, Mass.) alternated threes for each side in the span 2 minutes to put Lasell ahead 44-42. A three point play by Chappell gave Lasell their biggest lead at 47-42 with 7:53 remaining. Soares was able to give the Lasers the 55-50 lead after 6 straight points at the 4:20 mark. 

Anna Maria responded with a 10-0 run behind seven points from Pryor to build a 60-55 edge. Soares hit a three to bring the Lasers within 2 at 60-58. Each team failed to convert on successive possessions, and the visitors pushed their edge to 62-58 on a pair of free throws with 27 seconds remaining. A Chappell layup trimmed the lead to 62-60, and a free throw by Pryor gave the AMCATS a three point cushion. Lasell was unable to connect on a late three pointer, and Anna Maria closed out the game at the line for the 64-60 win.

Overall, Anna Maria went 43.8% from the field, 47.8% from behind the arc and shot 64.7% for free throws. Lasell shot 44.8% from the field, 33.3% for thees and converted 44.4% from the charity stripe. 

The AMCATS will try to make it two in a row as they face Mount Ida on Saturday at 1:00 pm meanwhile Lasell will wrap up their season as they travel to Pine Manor College on Saturday, tip-off is set for 1:00 pm as well.