WBK: Lasers use mighty first quarter to cruise to victory

Newton, Mass. – The Lasell University women's basketball team was in complete control as they took down the Fitchburg State Falcons, 87-51, Thursday at the Lasell Athletic Center.

Four of the five Laser starters reached double figures with senior Marie Zampano (North Branford, Conn.) with a career high 18 points on six of ten shooting. Freshman Juju Nealy (Fitchburg, Mass.) scored 16 points and senior Meg Carroll (Douglas, Mass.) scored 14. Junior Brooke Damboise (Bolton, Conn.) rounded out the Lasers in double figures with 12 points, all of which came in the first quarter.

The Falcons had two in double figures, led by freshman Ephemian Bailey (Maple Grove, Minn.) collected a double double scoring 17 points and bringing down 15 rebounds. Freshman Rylie Harlow (Hanson, Mass.) scored 13 points and added eight rebounds.

The first quarter was in complete favor of the Lasers as they shot the lights out shooting 58.3 percent from the field (14-24), and 61.5 percent from three (8-13). The Lasers also held the Falcons to an 11.8 percent field goal percentage (2-17) in the quarter. The Lasers started the game on a 20-4 run and did not look back, knocking down three after three as the pushed it to a 26-point advantage after one leading 36-10.

Despite the early deficit the Falcons did not lay down, starting the game on a 6-2 run through the first five minutes. Both teams traded baskets throughout the quarter as neither side could pull away. The Falcons early run made the difference though and they were able to take a small piece out of the Laser lead to go into halftime down 50-27.

Lasell came out of halftime on fire on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. The Lasers started the half on a 22-0 run that spanned 6:19 to push their lead to 45. Lasell could only muster two more points during the remaining 3:41 as the Falcons ended the third on a 9-2 run.

The fourth saw both sides answer every time the other side scored a point. Only twice did a team scored consecutive points as the sides were evenly matched throughout the quarter. Despite the competitiveness of the second and fouth quarter, Lasell controlled the first and the third quarter to win 87-51.

The Lasers tied a program record of threes made with 12, a feat which they have accomplished on two other occasions. Lasell won the turnover battle only committing 15 to Fitchburg's 26 and they scored 29 points off those 26 turnovers. Lasell also assisted on 21 of their 34 baskets.

The Lasers will be back in action on Saturday, December 11, when they play host to fellow Great Northeast Athletic Conference foe Dean College. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.