Trinity came out strong, scoring the first 14 points of the game and holding the Lasers scoereless until less than 14 minutes remained in the first half. The Banta defense held Lasers to 36.4 percent shooting from the field in the first stanza, while nailing 52.8 percent of their shots from the floor. Rhoten had 12 of his points in the first half to lead all scorers.
Lasell, which trailed, 39-23, with 1:58 before intermission fought its way back to within nine points at 52-43 on a traditional three-point play by senior tri-captain forward Demetrius DeJesus (Bronx, N.Y.) with 14 minutes left in the game. Trinity quickly pulled away, scoring eight straight points, including five by sophomore guard Patrick Hasiuk (Enfield, Conn.), to take a 62-45 lead at the 10-minute mark and kept its advantage at the 20-point mark the rest of the way.
Trinity senior co-captain guard John Halas (White Plains, N.Y.) finished with 14 points, sic boards, three assists, and three steals, while sophomore forward Robert Taylor (Dorchester Center, Mass.) pulled down 10 boards. Senior tri-captain guard Greg Walker (Lauderhill, Fla.) paced the Lasers with 18 points, while DeJesus totaled 11 points and four steals. Trinity outrebounded Lasell, 47-25.
Lasell (3-4) 27-29--56
Trinity, Conn. (7-1) 39-39--78