Newton North Grad Leads Lasell To Season Opening Win

NEWTON, MA — Lasell University defeated Mount Holyoke College, 67-34, in the women's basketball season opener for both schools at Howard Gymnasium, thanks in large part to the work of one Newton resident.

Senior Amanda Ortiz who graduated Newton from Newton North, tallied a game-high 18 points to lead a group of four players who scored in double figures Saturday afternoon.

Ortiz made 7-of-9 field goal attempts, including a pair of three-pointers, while pulling down a team-best eight rebounds, according to the school. She was joined in double-digit scoring by senior D'Asia Allen of Providence, R.I., who tossed in 14 points, while junior Peyton Young of Douglas had 11 and classmate Precious Montgomery of Connecticut totaled 10 points.

Mount Holyoke shot 22.7 percent (15-for-66) in the setback, while the Lasers were 26-of-58 (44.8 percent) in the victory. The Lyons outrebounded Lasell, 45-44, the school reported.

The hosts led 10-8 late in the first quarter before Lasell closed out the frame with a 15-0 run to lead 23-10 after one. Ortiz scored six points in the Laser rally and Young added five. The Lasers extended the lead to 30 -12 midway through the second quarter, and the Laser defense kept the Lyons at bay the rest of the stanza to go to the locker room with a 39-12 advantage.

The Lasers maintained a sizeable lead throughout the second half and the Lyons never threatened. Lasell went on to post a win in its season opener for the fourth year in a row.