Women's Basketball: Lasers fight to end in 61-52 setback at Saint Joseph (Conn.)

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Freshman guard Juju Nealy scored a game-high 20 points for the Lasell University women's basketball team during a 61-52 setback at Great Northeast Athletic Conference-rival Saint Joseph (Conn.) Monday. 

Nealy, who is averaging 14.2 points per game, knocked down 10 free throws, tied for the seventh most in a single game in program history. She has scored in double figures during 11-of-13 games in her rookie season and has finished with 20 or more twice. The Fitchburg, Massachusetts, native also finished with a team-high four steals for the Lasers (6-7, 4-3 GNAC).

Freshman guard Jasmine DePina, who broke the program's record with 27 rebounds in an 85-70 overtime win over Rivier Saturday, compiled four points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Freshman forward Mia Sullivan-Sanders gave Lasell 17 excellent minutes off the bench, tallying two points, eight rebounds and five assists. The eight rebounds tied a personal best and the five assists were the most in her collegiate career.

"We got down early and could not make up that deficit, even though we had a good effort in the fourth quarter to do so," said Lasell University Women's Basketball Head Coach Kelley Sundberg.

Leading the way for the Blue Jays (9-6, 5-3 GNAC) were Amanda Fudge (19 points), Jordan Ouellette (12 points, 15 rebounds) and Maya Slisz (13 points, 7 steals, 5 rebounds). Saint Joseph won the first half 30-21 and the two teams played to a 31-31 tie in the final 20 minutes.

The Jays flew out of the gate and took a 12-0 lead on a layup by Cheyenne-Mone Smith 3:14 into the first quarter. The Lasers settled in and scored the ensuing five points and trimmed the deficit down to 17-13 on a layup by Nealy with 1:06 left.

A jumper by Olivia Heslin gave the hosts a 30-19 advantage with 1:48 left in the half, and then two made free throws by Nealy cut the deficit down to nine heading into halftime.

Saint Joseph's lead ballooned to 45-27 on a layup by Jelly Frigo with 3:07 on the scoreboard in the third quarter. Lasell showcased a great deal of resiliency and ended the game on a 25-16 run. 

Back-to-back baskets by Nealy and freshman forward Jess Carney cut the Jays' lead down to 46-37 with 8:50 left in regulation. A pair of made free throws by Nealy brought the visitors to within five at 56-51 with 1:05 left. Nealy connected on another free throw with 56 seconds left, bringing Lasell to within five again, but the Jays were able to close out the nine-point win.

Lasell led the bench-points category, 14-3, and also held advantages in rebounds, 47-43, and assists, 14-12. In the fourth quarter, Nealy posted 11 points, seven made free throws and four steals.

The Lasers will compete against GNAC-foe Regis Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Lasell Athletic Center.

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

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