WBB: Nealy Scores 21 as Lasers Comeback Falls Just Short

Paxton, MA - The Lasell Lasers fell to the Anna Maria AMCATS by a final score of 75-69 Saturday afternoon. The loss drops the Lasers to 4-17 on the season and 3-11 in conference play, while the AMCATS are now 6-14 and 4-9.

The Lasers went up early, as they grabbed an 8-3 lead four minutes into the game on a pair of Juju Nealy free throws. But a 10-2 run by AMCATS gave them a three point lead of their own. But a jumper made by Shirle Major with less than a minute remaining in the quarter gave the Lasers a 16-15 lead after one. The AMCATS quickly retook the lead, making a layup on their first possesion of the new quarter. They began the quarter on a 8-2 run to take a five point lead. The two teams would then spend the next five minutes trading points back and forth before the Lasers took a 28-27 lead. But Anna Maria would go on a 9-0 run over the final three minutes of the half to take a 36-28 lead into halftime.

The AMCATS continued their run to start the second half, scoring eight straight more points. They would extend their lead to 16 points by the end of the third. But the Lasers did not go down without a fight. Trailing 71-55 with just over three minutes remaining in the game, the Lasers outscored Anna Maria 14-4 the rest of the game, but ultimately ran out of time, falling 75-69.

The Lasers offense was paced by Juju Nealy, as she scored 21 points off the bench, while shooting 10-11 from the free throw line. Jasmine DePina and Shirle Major also had big days, with DePina scoring 15, and Major 14. DePina also grabbed 12 rebounds to record a double-double. Kaitlyn Antonucci also had 12 rebounds.

Up Next - The Lasers will next play on the road when they travel to Weston, MA to take on Regis on Wednesday, February 8th. That game will start at 7pm.