Women's Basketball: Lasers battle to end in 58-48 loss at Norwich in GNAC first round

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Freshman guard Jasmine DePina compiled her fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 15 points and 10 rebounds for the ninth-seeded Lasell University women's basketball team during a 58-48 setback at eighth-seeded Norwich in the first round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Tournament Tuesday.

Graduate student Peyton Young and seniors Marie Zampano and Meg Carroll competed in their final game as Lasers. They have been tremendous role models on and off the court during their collegiate careers.

"It was a tough fought game, but most importantly after today we have to honor what our three seniors have done for the program," said Lasell University Women's Basketball Head Coach Kelley Sundberg. "They have laid a foundation of how to be good teammates. Outside of basketball, they are three phenomenal women. I cannot wait to see what they accomplish once they graduate."

Young finished with eight points and a career-high 12 rebounds for the Lasers (9-16, 7-11 GNAC). The rebounding total was the most by any player in the game and was the third time in the last four games that Young corralled double-digit boards. The Douglas, Massachusetts, native also tallied a season-high four steals, tied for the most in the game.

"It is not the outcome we were hoping for," said Young. "We were hoping to make history, but I am so proud of this team for its effort today and throughout the entire season. I could not have asked for a better group of girls to play with for my last ride. I am excited to come back to watch this group and see how far the players and coaches come along. Big things are coming."

Brooke Damboise and Zampano shot a combined 3 for 8 on 3-pointers, while freshmen Mia Sullivan-Sanders and Sara Beauchamp combined for 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Haley Brewster led the way for the Cadets (10-14, 7-9 GNAC) with a game-high 18 points, to go along with seven rebounds, four steals and two assists. Skylar Burzynski finished with 14 points, going 4 of 8 from the field, 2 for 5 on 3-pointers and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line. MacKenzie Moore grabbed 10 boards and Erika Thomas scored 10 points off the bench. Norwich will play top-seeded Emmanuel Wednesday at 7 p.m. during the quarterfinals in Boston.

A layup by Thomas gave the Cadets a 10-2 lead 3:52 into the first quarter. Damboise buried a 3-pointer off an assist by Young at the buzzer, cutting Norwich's advantage to 20-10 at the end of one.

Lasell carried the momentum into the second, scoring the first 11 points and taking a 21-20 lead on two free throws by junior guard Sheridan Blaha with 5:16 on the clock. The Lasers' defense held Norwich off the scoreboard for a period of 6:12, covering the last 15 seconds of the first and the opening 5:57 of the second. 

A 3-pointer by Zampano gave Lasell a 24-22 cushion with 3:41 on the scoreboard. Norwich closed the half on an 11-3 surge, grabbing a 33-27 halftime lead.

The Cadets developed some separation midway through the third, extending their lead to 44-29 on two free throws by Moore with 4:20 left. A layup by Sullivan-Sanders concluded a 6-0 run for Lasell and trimmed the deficit to 44-35 with 2:43 remaining. Norwich took a 46-36 cushion into the final 10 minutes.

Lasell made a run in the fourth, as a steal and layup by Young pulled the visitors to within four at 50-46 with 3:49 left. An 8-2 run down the stretch by the Cadets secured the 10-point win. 

The Lasers held a 39-34 advantage in rebounds and an 18-14 lead in points in the paint. 

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

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