The Brandeis University men’s basketball team is off to a great start for the 2010 season, defeating Lasell College 73-51.
The Judges were led by two career-first double-double performances notched by forward Vytas Kriskus ’12 and forward Alex Schmidt ’14. Kriskus turned out a game-best 22 points and added 10 rebounds while Schmidt topped all competitors with 12 grabs off the glass while tallying 11 points in his collegiate debut. Guard Derek Retos ’14 also succeeded in his college opener, scoring on five-of-10 field goals, including four three-pointers. Retos finished the contest with 16 points.
Though Brandeis and Massell were nearly even in shooting percentage (43 and 40 percent) and total shots (24-55, 22-55), Brandeis held an advantage in three-point field goals, connecting on nine-of-21 attempts, as opposed to Lasell’s two-of-ten, which led to the marked margin of victory.
Brandeis collected possession off the jump, but Lasell scored the first points of the game after a quick steal and broke away for a layup. Brandeis went on to score the next 11 points during a five minute stretch on two consecutive threes by Kriskus, one from Retos and a bucket from Schmidt. The Judges’ run was disrupted by Fuller, who picked off a pass and went coast-to-coast for a basket.
The visitors took a double-digit lead at the 12-minute mark when Schmidt connected on the tail end of two free throws. By 8:55, Lasell had cut the lead to just six after sophomore forward Philip DiMacco scored; however, Brandeis more than doubled their lead three minutes later after going on an 8-1 run.
With one second left in the first period, Tyrone Hughes ’12 was sent to the line for Brandeis in a bonus situation. Hughes was good for both shots, expanding the Judges lead to 14 points. Before time ran out in the half, Lasell inbounded the ball to Fuller, who launched a bomb from three steps behind half court that found nothing but net. Fuller’s buzzer beater left the halftime score at 33-22.
The hosts rallied for a comeback in the second half with an 11-3 run during a four-and-a-half minute period that brought Lasell within two points, 36-34. Williams started the streak ten seconds into the half with a jumper in the paint, followed by a Fuller three-point play just 20 seconds later. DiMacco joined in the scoring, getting hit in the low post by Williams and Orlow capped the stretch with a trifecta off an inbounds play assisted by Derrick Harper. Lasell was only twice interrupted during that time with one-of-two Hughes free throws and a Ben Bartoldus ’14 turn-around jumper.
With 13:09 left to play and just a four-point deficit (40-36), Brandeis swung the momentum in their favor, capitalizing on Lasell foul trouble that sent Brandeis to the line in bonus for six points before the 10-minute mark. The Judges went on to produce a 20-4 run that left Lasell trailing by no less than 19 through the final buzzer.
In their next contests, Brandeis (1-0) will host Newbury College on Friday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. during the Brandeis Invitational ,while Lasell (0-1) will entertain New England regional powerhouse Rhode Island College on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Athletic Center.
