NEWTON, Mass. – The Johnson & Wales University men's basketball team let a double-digit, halftime lead slip away on Tuesday. The Wildcats dropped an 80-75 decision at Lasell College.

Records:
Lasell: 9-15, 6-4 GNAC
Johnson & Wales: 11-13, 3-7 GNAC

Statistical Leaders:
Danny Ampofo (JWU): 20 points
Aireus Raspberry (JWU): 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Nate Patenaude (JWU): 13 points, 14 rebounds

Of Note:
Rookie Aireus Raspberry completed a three-point play to put the Wildcats up 18-7 at the 12:24 mark of the first half. Danny Ampofo's layup with 1:11 left in the half grew the lead to 44-27 and the Wildcats went into the locker room up 44-30.

JWU didn't score for the first minutes of the second half and that allowed the Lasers to close within 44-40.

After Lasell grabbed the lead midway through the second half, JWU got it back, 68-66, on a Justin Bullock three-pointer. The Wildcats went scoreless over the next three minutes and Lasell put the game away with a 10-0 run.

The free throw line was a big difference in the game as Lasell made more free throws (17-of-24) than the Wildcats took (9-of-15).

Four Wildcats reached double figures, topped by Ampofo's 20 points off the bench, including 15 in the first half. Raspberry had a season-high 19 points and Nate Patenaude turned in a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double.

Up Next:
The Wildcats wrap up the regular season Saturday at Norwich at 1 p.m.