Lasell Upsets #9 Brandeis in Season Opener

Newton, Mass. - The Lasell College Lasers men’s basketball team brought down the number 9 ranked team in the nation tonight, with a 68-66 upset over the Brandeis University Judges.  Junior Sainval (Maimi, FL) led the way for the Lasers with 7 three-pointers and a game-best 23 points, as the Lasers picked up an incredible first win of the 2008-2009 season.

The lead changed only once in the first half, as the Judges took an early 5-0 advantage, but a three pointer by Brad Caravoulias (Dracut, Mass.) set the Lasers on an eleven point run, from which point on, Lasell controlled the board. 

Lasell’s defense shut down the Judge’s offense, holding Brandeis’ pre-season All American, Steve DeLuca (Merrimack, NH) to only three points in the first half.  The Judges cut their deficit to two at 14-16, but the Lasers retained the lead heading into a 33-25 half time advantage.

Brandeis chipped away at the Lasers lead in the second half, tying the game at 37, before a three by Kevin Olson (Rockport, Mass.) gave the Judges a 40-37 edge.  The Judge’s lead was short lived however, as the Lasers went on a 9 point run over the next four minutes, including back to back three’s by Sainval.  

With ten minutes remaining, the Lasers were up by nine, but the Judges were not going to finish without a fight.  Brandeis brought the game back within one point twice and remained down by only 2 points with 49 seconds left on the clock.  Brandeis attempted to tie the game with two last second shot opportunities, but did not score, and the Lasell Lasers came out the victors, 68-66.

Eight Lasers notched points in the win, shooting 48.1% overall from the field, and 52.2% from behind the arch. Lasell also dished out 18 total assists, seven of which were fed by point guard Kevin Richard (New Orleans, LA).

Head Coach Aaron Galletta attributes the win to “a total team effort. That’s a very good Brandeis team we beat tonight.  I’m proud of our guy’s efforts, keeping our composure and executing down the stretch.”

Caravoulias finished the game with 10 points and 4 rebounds for Lasell, and Charles Horton (Worcester, Mass.) connected on 3 three’s for 9 total points.  Senior Jose Guitian (Miami, FL) produced a game-high 8 boards, while seeing limited time on the court due to early foul trouble.   Also contributing eight points apiece for Lasell were Sean Joynes (Philadelphia, PA) and Corey Godfrey (Cambridge, Mass.), with Joynes crashing the boards for six rebounds. 

For the Judges, DeLuca was the leader in points with sixteen, followed closely by Olson and Andre Roberson (Springfield, Mass.) with 14 and 12 respectively.  Olson went 4-4 behind the three point arch.

Lasell now looks to face Western Connecticut State University on Friday, November 21^st, at the Roger Williams Tournament, in Bristol, Rhode Island. The Lasers will tip off against the Colonials, at 8:00 p.m.

Courtesy: Lasell Athletic Communication