WBK: Lasell pulls away from Norwich for GNAC victory

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Lasell University women's basketball team scored the final 18 points of the game Tuesday evening to post a 63-40 victory over Norwich University in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest at Andrews Gym.

The Lasers improve to 7-6 overall and 1-1 in conference games, while Norwich drops to 3-10 overall and 0-2 in the GNAC. With the victory, Lasell has already matched last year's win total.

Lasell led the entire game but could not put away the Cadets until the final quarter. The Lasers led 23-18 at halftime and 45-38 after three, and held just a five-point margin (45-40) a minute later but kept the hosts off the scoreboard for the last nine minutes while scoring the final 18 points. Norwich converted just 1-of-15 shots in the quarter.

Senior Amanda Ortiz (Newton, Mass.) led the Lasers with 24 points, including 10 points in the pivotal fourth quarter. She also collected eight rebounds and three steals while scoring at least 20 points for the ninth time this season. Senior D'Asia Allen (Providence, R.I.) was the next high scorer for Lasell with 12 points, and junior Precious Montgomery (Bridgeport, Conn.) collected a game-high 11 rebounds.

Junior Kailynne Frederick (Adams, Mass.) led the home team with 16 points and senior KristieAnn DeSilvio (Chelmsford, Mass.) added nine points.

Lasell was aided by strong three-point shooting, making 9-of-18 from beyond the arc while Norwich converted just 1-of-15 from long range.

The Lasers return home for the first home game of 2020 this Saturday, January 18, against GNAC foe Suffolk University at 2 p.m. Norwich visits the University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut) on Saturday for a1p.m. GNAC affair.

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