NORTHFIELD, Vt. – In their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference game of the season, the Norwich men's basketball team was edged by Lasell College, 82 – 79, in Andrews Hall on Saturday afternoon.

For the Cadets (3-4, 0-1 GNAC), senior Jaren Jeffcoat led Norwich on the court with his double-double of 20 points and 10 boards. Jeffcoat was also credited with two assists, as he shot 9-of-12 and went 2-of-3 in 3-pointers.

Lasell (2-7, 1-2 GNAC) was led by junior Javon Williams, who recorded 24 total points and eight boards, while making five steals and a block against the Cadets.

Close behind Williams, sophomore Sean Bertanza finished the game with 19 points, three rebounds, a steal and one assist. Classmate Demetrious Lambright went a perfect 4-of-4 in free throws and was 6-of-9 in shooting, giving him 16 points and an earned assist.

At halftime, the Cadets held a 45-37 advantage, having only given up their lead once; by a single point midway through the opening half. Juniors Josh Cabrera and Antonio Davis proved to be setting the tone for the Cadets, as Davis had already made 11 points and 3 boards, while Cabrera had sank four jumpers, two 3-pointers, and made two steals.

Lasers' Williams was leading Lasell with 13 points, two steals and two boards.

Jeffcoat and freshman Pim Smulders stepped up in the second half, as they were responsible for the majority of the Cadets points; Jeffcoat netting 11 and Smulders, 10.

The Lasers, however, took back the game in the second half, outscoring Norwich 45-34 and earning the important three-point edge they needed for the win. Williams continued to lead Lasell, netting another 11 points, six boards, a block and three steals.

Helping him out was Bertanza, who recorded 12 points, a steal and two rebounds, and junior Derrick Harper, who sank four jumpers and both free throws, while recording four rebounds.

The Cadets will travel to Rivier College for their second game in as many days, playing at 1 p.m. This conference game was rescheduled from the teams' first meeting after a leak in the roof of the Muldoon Fitness Center forced the game to be called midway through the first half.

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