Rapoza Gets 12th Double-Double; AMCATS Can’t Hold off Lasers

AUBURNDALE, Mass – Thursday night the AMCATS went on the road to take on Lasell. Though Anna Maria were able to control the first half the Lasers didn't go away and took the conference win in a low scoring affair, 64-55.

For AMC, sophomore forward Mike Rapoza (Charlton, Mass) scored 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for his 12^th double-double of the season. Senior guard Kenneth Graham (West Haven, Conn) added 13 points for the visitors while also grabbing nine boards. The only other player in double-digits for AMC was senior guard Chris Contento (Marshfield, Mass) who scored 11 on the evening while accumulating seven rebounds.

On the other side of things, the Lasers junior guard Tim Blair (Newington, Conn) led all scorers with 26 points on the night. He shot nine-of-17 from the floor, five of those nine buckets coming from beyond the arch. The only other player in double-digits for Lasell was sophomore guard Stefan Masciarelli (Northbridge, Mass) who added 14 points for the home team.

The first half of the game was dominated by the AMCATS, who went on a 14-2 run in the first 10 minutes of action. From there, while the Lasers were able to lessen the blow, outscoring the 'Cats 17-13 in the final 10 minutes of the half, still trailed at the break, 27-19. The starters did all of the scoring for Anna Maria in the first half, scoring 14 points in the paint and eight off of turn overs.

The half time break seemed to be exactly what Lasell needed. The Lasers closed the eight point AMCAT lead in the first six minutes of the half and took their first lead of the ball game with just over 12 minutes left to play. Once they took the lead they didn't give it up, and though AMC scored more points in the second half than they did in the first, Lasell seemed determined to make up for their 19-point first half performance. One the final buzzer sounded the Lasers had outscored AMC in the second half, 45-28, a 64-55 victory and a sweep of the regular season series between the two teams.

Anna Maria will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Standish, Maine to play the St. Joe's Monks in GNAC play at 1pm.

Click Here to view the full box score from Thursday's game.