Newton, MA- The Dean College men's basketball team fought until the very last second, but ultimately fell short to Lasell University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) postseason play by a final score of 95-87.

The game opened with two scoreless possessions, one for each team. Billy Ray Barnes III (Inglewood, CA) and Christian Yeates (Atlanta, GA) came close, but ultimately fell short with shots from mid-range. Lasell scored the opening three points from the game. However, Yeates quickly responded with a three-pointer of his own. The two sides traded scores within the first two minutes of the game. Within the third minute, Lasell found their ground, scoring multiple three-point shots to put them up by seven. 

Dean responded with multiple attempts on offense. However, only few were converted. Greg Farrow (Milwaukee, WI) checked into the game and drilled a three, with Noah Ritchards (Rosenburg, TX) followed with his third dunk in the last two games. Throughout much of the first half, Lasell controlled the momentum, going up by as high as 14 with seven minutes to play. Dean was forced to call a timeout shortly after. 

With five minutes left to play in the half, Dean finally got some ground. Baskets by Barnes and Frankie Idlett (Miami, FL) brought the difference to 11. After a quick board on defense, Idlett converted under the rim again and forced a three-point play. Barnes drew another foul on offense and kept Dean at-pace, forcing a timeout with just under four minutes left in the half. 

In the final four minutes, Lasell drained another three-pointer and jumped back into an 11-point lead. Going into the locker room, Dean trailed the Lasers 47-36.
Entering the second half, the Bulldogs put the pedal to the metal. Dean entered on a 6-0 run, forcing the lead to just five points. Idlett, Ritchards, and Yeates all contributed to scoring. Meanwhile, Ritchards and Barnes remained strong in the paint, securing multiple offensive boards. Dean also forced a shot clock violation by Lasell, furthering their momentum. The game laid at 54-46 with just over fifteen minutes remaining.

Lasell gained some ground back within the six minute mark, scoring baskets from both mid-range and behind the line. However, Dean maintained their footing, bringing the game within six with nine minutes on the clock.

With just over five minutes to-go, Lasell scored from beyond the ark, making it a three-possession game. The Bulldogs quickly responded on offense with a layup by Ja'maine Davenport (Mays Landing, NJ). This brought the game back within two possessions. However, with just over a minute left, the Lasers drained another three.

Dean continued to push the limits, but it ultimately was not enough. Lasell took the victory by a final score of 97-85.

Barnes led the Bulldogs in scoring, posting 19 points, two steals, and four rebounds. Davenport finished second in points with 18, along with eight boards. Idlett finished the night with 16 total points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Dean is officially eliminated from the postseason, finishing the year with a 15-10 (7-7) record in the regular season. This is the highest win total Dean has claimed in five years. They also added their first home playoff win in five seasons.