Golden Bears Rout Lasell in Home Opener

Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Senior tri-captain Emily Savino poured in a game-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, and freshman forward Chelsea Vujs added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, as the Western New England women's basketball team won its home opener with a convincing 69-42 victory over Lasell in non-conference action at the Alumni Healthful Living Center field house on Tuesday. Both teams now stand at 2-1 on the season.

Alexis Chappell accounted for almost half of the Lazers' offense with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 from the free throw line. Chappell, who also had a team-high nine rebounds, was the only LC scorer in double figures. Kayla Vincelette chipped in six points and five assists.

Senior center Elena Radzikowski added 12 points for the Golden Bears, who shot 46.4 percent from the floor while holding Lasell to a 32.7 clip. Senior tri-captain Shelby Van Huysen came off the bench to lead all players with six assists and she scored eight points

With Lasell up 10-8 seven minutes after the opening tip, Savino hit a 3-pointer on a skip-pass from Ali Pessolano to give the Golden Bears a lead they would never relinquish. Savino then scored WNE's next four points for a 15-10 lead as part of a 21-4 run to end the half as the hosts took a 29-14 lead into the intermission.

Western New England led by double digits for the entire second half, outscoring Lasell 40 to 28.

The Golden Bears forced 27 turnovers that yielded 27 points (to 16 for LC off 21 WNE miscues). Western New England also took care of the glass, out-rebounding the Lazers 40 to 33--earning 17 second-chance points.

Vujs also had three steals and Savino added five assists.