Women's Basketball: Lasers' comeback falls short in 67-62 setback to Regis

NEWTON, Mass. - Freshman guard Juju Nealy and senior forward Meg Carroll scored a combined 34 points for the Lasell University women's basketball team during a 67-62 setback to Great Northeast Athletic Conference-rival Regis Wednesday in the Athletic Center.

The Lasers (6-8, 4-4 GNAC) showcased a great deal of resiliency, battling back from a 19-point halftime deficit and a 15-point hole at the end of three quarters to make it a one-point game at 63-62 with 17 seconds left on a 3-point shot by senior guard Brooke Damboise.

"We had a tough first half, but made good mental adjustments for the second half," said Lasell University Women's Basketball Head Coach Kelley Sundberg. "It was just a little too late."

Nealy tied a career high with 21 points and has scored 20 or more in two consecutive games for the Lasers. Freshman guard Jasmine DePina continued to fill up the box score for Lasell, finishing with seven points and nine rebounds. She tied a personal record with five steals. 

Carroll dropped 13 points, shooting 6 for 12 from the field. Senior guard Marie Zampano had an efficient shooting day, scoring seven points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field, to go along with four rebounds and two assists. Graduate student Peyton Young gave the hosts 18 strong minutes off the bench, recording eight points, five rebounds and two 3-pointers.

Pam Gonzalez scored 21 of her game-high 25 points in the first half for the Pride (6-7, 5-2 GNAC). She finished 9 of 15 from the field and 6 of 8 on 3-pointers, to go along with 12 rebounds. Arie Searcy compiled a game-leading 14 boards for Regis.

A 3-pointer by Gonzalez with five seconds remaining in the second quarter gave Regis a 44-25 halftime advantage. Lasell opened the third quarter with seven consecutive points, and then a layup by Nealy with 3:22 on the clock cut the deficit down to 48-40. A 7-0 surge by the Pride extended the visitors' lead to 55-40 heading into the fourth quarter.

Nealy and Carroll combined for 13 points in the final frame, as the Lasers held a 22-12 advantage in the period. A 3-point shot by Nealy and a layup by Young brought Lasell to within three at 59-56 midway through the fourth. Lasell kept attacking in the final minute, as a layup by DePina cut Regis' lead to 61-59 with 49 seconds left. After Damboise's trey made it a one-point game with 17 seconds left, Regis went 4 of 4 from the charity stripe in the final 15 minutes to secure the five-point win.

Lasell forced 21 turnovers and only made 11 of its own, while leading points off turnovers, 22-17. The Lasers outscored the Pride, 37-23, in the final 20 minutes.

The Lasers will compete against Dean Friday at 6 p.m. in Franklin, Massachusetts.

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

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