PAXTON, MA - Amber Wilson (New York, NY) collected her seventh double-double (31 points/15 rebounds) as the Anna Maria College women's basketball team (6-12, 2-2 GNAC) fell to the Lasell University Lasers (8-8, 2-3 GNAC) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference Action (GNAC) Saturday afternoon at the Fuller Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both schools played a tightly contested first quarter as neither side saw a lead larger than two as there were five lead changes and three ties. Anna Maria's defense kept the Lasers at bay despite the score (10-8) and forced three Lasell turnovers and forced tough shots. 
• In the second quarter, the AMCATS cut the Lasell lead down to one (12-11) after Wilson knocked down a free throw. However, the Lasers responded with a quick 6-0 run all from Amanda Ortiz (Newton, MA) and gave Lasell their largest lead (seven, 18-11) with just over six minutes left (6:32). 
• Anna Maria and Lasell continued a back and forth game before they looked to pull away after Peyton Young (Douglas, MA) knocked down a three for the 23-17 advantage. The AMCATS did not let the lead grow as the squad went on a 14-1 run to end the half with a 31-24 lead. During the spurt, Wilson paced the squad with seven points that included an and-one chance. Hailey Vergara (Rialto, CA) knocked down a three and Sierra Johnson (Brockton, MA) also hit a couple of free throws.
• Devyn Markland (Derby, CT) helped Lasell get within five (35-30) in third-quarter after she made a layup. But, the squad again generated an 11-1 run to grab their first double-digit lead of the contest (46-31). Gabby Cuevas (West Valley City, UT), Sienna Johnson (Brockton, MA), and Vergara each had three points respectively and Wilson chipped in two points. 
• In the fourth quarter, it was all Sierra Johnson and Wilson who scored eight and seven points respectively while Vergara nailed a three to keep Lasell out of reach and for the 68-59 victory. Anna Maria's defense also held strong as they held the Lasers to 35 percent shooting from the field and 27.3 percent from three. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Wilson had a game-high 31 points while Sierra Johnson rounded out the double-digit scoring with 16 points. 
• Anna Maria outshot Lasell (48.3/27.8 percent versus 32.3/21.2 percent). 
• Ortiz paced the Lasers with 22 points while she grabbed nine rebounds. 

WHAT'S NEXT

Anna Maria heads out to take on Saint Joesph's (ME) in GNAC play on Wednesday, January 29 at 5:30 PM. Lasell returns home when they take on The City College of New York Sunday, January 26 at 2 PM.

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