WPI 78, Lasell 77

Box Score

Worcester, MA --- Ben Etten (Hollis, NH) drained a 12-foot leaner in the lane with 7.0 seconds remaining to lift WPI to a dramatic 78-77 victory over visiting Lasell in non-conference men's basketball action on Tuesday evening.  With the win, WPI improves to 5-0 while Lasell slips to 2-2.

Lasell had taken the lead when Jose Guitian (Miami, FL) canned a pair of free throws with 59.9 seconds left to give the Lasers a 77-76 advantage.  Following a WPI turnover and a Lasell miss, Etten hit his shot in heavy traffic.  After a WPI timeout, Lasell moved the ball up the court looking for the game-winning shot, but outstanding perimeter defense by the Engineers prevented the Lasers from getting a shot off before time expired.

The game began at a frenetic pace, as Lasell hit a trio of shots from beyond the 3-point arc to jump out to a 11-4 lead in the first four minutes.  WPI was able to come back and take a one-point advantage at the break following seven lead changes in the first half, thanks to help off the bench from Jerome Stewart (Bloomfield, CT), Kyle Nadeau (Webster, MA), and Jeffery Robinson (Granby, CT), who combined for 27 points off the bench in the first half.

The Engineers needed to overcome Lasell's momentum to start the second half as well, as the visitors fought their way to a 10 point lead in the first eight minutes following the intermission. WPI responded quickly with a 13-3 run to knot the score at 62 with seven minutes to play. WPI point guard Adam Lirette (Dover, NH), held scoreless for the first 35 minutes, keyed the Engineers down stretch with three baskets in the final five minutes.

The game was a contrast in styles, as WPI outscored the visitors 42-22 in the paint, while Lasell made 12 of their 23 attempts from three-point land for an eye-popping 52.2%.  The Lasers also took care of the basketball, turning the ball over just 10 times.

Stewart and Etten each tallied a team-best 16 points for the Crimson and Gray while gobbling up nine and eight rebounds respectively.  Jerome Kirkland (Boston, MA) and Robinson each added nine points while Nadeau chipped in with eight points and a career-high seven assists.    

Guitian was magnificent for the Lasers.  The senior notched a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds.   He added three steals and was credited with a pair of blocks while altering several others.  Charles Horton (Worcester, MA) provided the Lasers with a spark off the bench, connecting on 5-of-7 3-pointers en route to registering 17 points.  Brad Caravoulias (Dracut, MA) added 12 points for the visitors.

Both teams are off until road games on the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving holiday.   WPI begins a stretch of three road contests in five days when they head to Curry while Lasell is at Amherst.  Both games are slated for 7pm starts.  

Story written by Ray Cotrufo - WPI Athletics Department