Women's Basketball: Lasers outlast Rivier, 85-70, in overtime

NEWTON, Mass. - Freshman guard Jasmine DePina of the Lasell University women's basketball team finished with a program-record 27 rebounds, as the Lasers grinded out an 85-70 overtime win over Rivier in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action Saturday at the Athletic Center.

DePina finished with 19 defensive rebounds, while senior forward Meg Carroll recorded her fifth double-double of the season with a team-high 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Lasers (6-6, 4-2 GNAC). Freshman guard Juju Nealy and senior guard Marie Zampano combined for 21 points.

Senior guard Brooke Damboise finished with career-highs in points and made 3-pointers, going 5 of 8 from beyond the arc and finishing with 19 points. The hosts held a 71-45 advantage in the rebounding action and won the overtime period, 22-7.

"It was a nailbiter of a game, but our team ovcerame adversity and pulled through in overtime," said Lasell University Women's Basketball Head Coach Kelley Sundberg. "Everyone did their job and all 12 players got us the win today."

Lyric Grumblatt led the way for the Raiders (6-8, 2-5 GNAC) with a game-high 37 points, including a 7-of-14 performance on 3-pointers. The Lasers improved to 2-0 on the season against the Raiders, as Lasell defeated host Rivier, 72-67, on Dec. 2.

Carroll opened the scoring wiuth a jumper 31 seconds into regulation, and then a three-ball by Nealy gave Lasell a 6-0 lead with 8:15 remaining in the first quarter. A trey by Grumblatt evened the score at 11-11 with 1:34 on the clock, but Lasell led, 15-11, at the end of one with late baskets by guard Peyton Young and DePina.

Lasell's lead ballooned to double digits at 23-13 on a 3-point shot by junior guard Sheridan Blaha with 6:34 left in the first half. Grumblatt scored 13 second-quarter points for the Raiders, but Damboise went 2 for 2 on treys in the frame, allowing Lasell to take a 34-30 lead into halftime.

During the third quarter, Damboise and Carroll combined for 11 points and DePina pulled down seven rebounds. A layup by Hannah Muchemore with 6:51 on the scoreboard gave the visitors the lead at 39-37. Lasell ansered the with a 7-0 surge, as a layup by Carroll with 5:13 on the clock put the unit in front, 44-39. 

A layup by DePina on an offensive rebound with 3:40 remaining gave Lasell a 61-52 cushion. Rivier kept fighting to the end and forced overtime on a trey by Grumblatt with 12 seconds left.

Lasell showcased a great deal of resiliency and opened overtime on a 5-0 run, with a layup by Nealy and a trey from Damboise. The Lasers refused to allow the Raiders to get closer than three the rest of the way. Carroll erupted with 10 points in the extra period, including going 6 of 6 from the charity stripe.

Lasell's defense limited Rivier to 30.1% shooting from the field, while the Lasers led second-chance points, 26-14. The hosts also held a 24-18 lead in points in the paint and a 15-10 advantage in bench points.

The Lasers will compete in GNAC action at Saint Joseph (Conn.) in West Hartford, Connecticut, on Monday at 6 p.m.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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