Women's Hoops Bounces Back with 84-55 Win Over Lasell

THE BASICS 
Score: 
Emmanuel College, 84 – Lasell University, 55

Records: 
Emmanuel College Saints (12-5, 7-2 GNAC)
Lasell University Lasers (3-12, 2-6 GNAC)

Location: Boston, Mass. – Andy Yosinoff Court

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023

THE LEAD – Emmanuel College bounced back into the win column on Thursday evening defeating Lasell University, 84-55, behind a balanced offensive effort in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Basketball action on the Andy Yosinoff Court.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• EC opened the action with a 16-3 run to take control early on before Lasell closed out the opening quarter outscoring the Saints 11-4 over the final 3:25 to cut the deficit to six (20-14) heading into the second stanza.
• LU first year Kaitlyn Antonucci (Cranston, R.I.) connected on a jumper with 3:21 to play in the first half to make it a two-possession game at 25-21 before the Saints closed the frame strong. Junior Olivia Matela (Swampscott, Mass.) and senior Caitlin Barker (Plainville, Conn.) drained back-to-back threes to get the lead back to double figures at 31-21 before Barker capped an 8-0 run with a layup, moving the line to 33-21 with 1:44 left. Emmanuel maintained the 12 point lead heading into halftime with the 37-25 cushion.
• Matela led all scorers at the break with 11.
• In the third, Lasell kept the score within striking distance in an 18-17 quarter that favored EC but the hosts pulled away in the fourth to seal the conference victory.
• Over the final seven minutes, EC closed out the contest on a 23-9 run to put away the Lasers, outscoring Lasell 29-13 in the final frame for the 84-55 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Matela finished the night with a game-high 18 points on a 7-for-17 shooting performance.
• Sophomore Yannie Chan (Hong Kong, China) chipped in with 15 points while first year guard Angelina Giordano (Chicago, Ill.) posted 13 points.
• Antonucci paced the Lasers with 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Shirle Major (Worcester, Mass.) added 10 points while Jazz DePina (Providence, R.I.) grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds.
• EC sophomore Desiree Robinson (New Haven, Conn.) pulled down a game-high 15 boards for Emmanuel while senior guard Cait Barker (Plainville, Conn.) finished with 10 points off the bench.
• Emmanuel improves to 18-0 all-time vs. Lasell since the teams began playing one another in 2002.

UP NEXT

• The win was the start of a four-game homestand as EC plays host to Rivier University next on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:30 PM.
• Lasell returns to action this weekend, heading to New London, N.H. on Saturday, January 21 for a GNAC contest at Colby-Sawyer College scheduled to tip at 1:00 PM.