AMCATS finish strong to seal victory over Lasers

Led by Chelsea Blair's (Holland, Mass.) 16 points and 15 rebounds the Anna Maria College defeated the Lasell College women's basketball team 60-52 in non-conference action at The Fuller Activities Center on Saturday afternoon. The win improves the AMCATS to 5-5 (0-0 TCCC), while the loss drops the Lasers to 1-7 (0-0 GNAC). AMC's Tonique Adkins (New Haven, Conn.) led all players in scoring, dropping a game-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, while also adding four steals. The aforementioned Chelsea Blair led all players with 15 rebounds, to go along with 16 points and a pair of blocks. Samantha Ashton (Worcester, Mass.) also played well, nearly missing a double-double with an 11-point, nine-rebound effort. For the visitors, Katie Farr (Rindge, N.H.) added a team-high 12 points and seven assists, while Brittany Jefferies (Medford, Mass.) and Kayla Vincelette (Westport, Mass.) contributed with 11 points each. The first half was a back and forth battle, evident by the nine lead changes in the frame. Both teams hit four three-pointers, while shooting nearly identical percentages from the field. The AMCATS held a slight 26-24 advantage heading into the locker room after a three-pointer from senior Emily Nugent (Worcester, Mass.) and a jumper from Chelsea Blair erased a late Laser advantage.    Kayla Vincelette was instrumental in the first-half for the visitors, adding nine of her 11 points with a block and a steal while Katie Farr added five of her seven assists. Tonique Adkins starred for the AMCATS with 12 points while Chelsea Blair added 10 of her 15 rebounds and six points. The second-half did not disappoint, featuring six more lead changes, as both teams struggled to grasp a stronghold on the game. Points in the paint and second chance points proved to be key in the AMCAT victory, as Anna Maria outscored Lasell by a 22-14 margin in the paint and a 11-6 margin in second chance points en route to the 60-52 victory. Katie Farr switched to a shooting role in the second frame, keeping the Lasers in the game by adding a team-high 10 of her 12 points. Samantha Ashton emerged for the AMCATS after intermission to the tune of nine points and six rebounds, while Blair added 10 points and Adkins chipped in with eight points.  The Lasers return to the court after the winter recess on January 4th, hosting Brandeis College at 7:00 pm. The AMCATS play again next Tuesday at home against Mount Ida College at 7:00 pm.