Stopera Nets 28 in 77-67 Setback to Pine Manor

NEWTON, Mass. (2/9/16) – The Lasell women's basketball team fell to Pine Manor 77-67 in its final non-conference test of the season Tuesday evening at Brunelli Court in Chestnut Hill. The Lasers shift to 11-12 overall while the Gators stretch their winning streak to seven at 9-12.

STAT LEADERS FOR LASELL

Despite the outcome, senior guard Katie Stopera (Hollis, N.H.) poured in a game high 28 points and 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season. Junior guard Sherilyn Small (Springfield, Mass.) also turned a double-double on the evening – her second of the year – with 14 points and 10 boards. Off the bench, senior Sammy Long (Staten Island, N.Y.) scored eight points, while sophomore guard Morgan Church (New London, N.H.) and sophomore forward Brianna Hoffman (New Mildford, N.H.) spit six points apiece.

STAT LEADERS FOR PINE MANOR

Four Gator starters reached double-digit scoring in the victory, with Alexis Lee leading the charge with 20 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. Sybil Lynch went 6-for-13 from the floor to go along with 12 points from long range to total 16 points, while Taylor Martin also connected on 3-of-4 shots from downtown for 15 points.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Hoffman sunk a three-pointer off the hands of Small for the 7-4 lead, the Gators ignited a 10-2 run to end the first quarter 14-9. Pine Manor carried its momentum into the second quarter of play, as Martin connected on three field goals for a 22-13 dump with 7:04 left in the half. Stopera made a big basket from beyond the arc for the two position deficit, however back-to-back three pointers from the Gators gave the home team a 31-23 lead heading into the break.

In the third quarter, the Lasers used 52.9% shooting from the floor and 11 points from Stopera to pull within the one-point margin, 44-43, with 1:51 on the game clock. Sybil came in clutch for the Gators, rejected the Lasers' comeback with six points from downtown and a two-pointer to keep Lasell at bay 52-45. The Gators held on to the lead from that point on, holding their largest advantage of the game 57-45 on a jumper from Martin.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Pine Manor edged the Lasers in shooting percentages in live play holding a 44.3% from the floor and 37.5% from long range. Stopera and Small helped the Lasers to a 47-42 advantage on the glass, and grabbed an additional 11 points from second chance opportunities compared to the Gators' seven.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Lasers will head to Providence, R.I. on Saturday, February 13 to face top GNAC contender Johnson and Wales at 7:00 p.m., while the Gators travel to Fisher College on Thursday, February 11 for a 7:00 p.m. contest.