Box Score MEDFORD - The Tufts men's basketball team ran away from Emerson College in the second half to take a 70-49 non-conference victory over the Lions in the home opener at Cousens Gym Friday night.
The Jumbos scored 22 straight points from 10:50 of the second half until 4:18 to pull away. The run turned a 40-37 Tufts advantage into a 62-37 lead as the hosts improved to 1-2. The visiting Lions dropped to 1-2.
Emerson's Jacob Forchheimer hit a three-pointer at 11:31 of the second half to pull the Lions within 40-37. However, the visitors would not score again for more than seven minutes. The Tufts run started with a lay-up by sophomore Drew Madsen, featured two three pointers by senior tri-captain Ben Ferris and included four points each from sophomore tri-captain Tom Palleschi and junior Ryan Spadaford.
Up to that point it was a close contest. Four points each from Ryan Clinesmith and Tyson Hallowell had given Emerson and early 13-7 lead. The Jumbos put together a first-half run of 12 straight points that featured six different scorers and produced a 19-13 advantage with 8:17 on the clock until intermission.
Tufts had a 31-26 lead at halftime with Palleschi's six points leading 10 different Jumbos who scored. He also had seven rebounds in the frame. Emerson junior Austin Pickney led all players with nine points and nine rebounds at the break.
The Jumbos would hold on to a single-digit advantage early in the second half before turning the game into a rout. A three-pointer by Spadaford at 12:58 was a prelude to the game-winning streak.
Tufts had 13 players score overall led by 10 points each from Palleschi and Ferris. Palleschi added 10 rebounds and three blocks. Madsen had eight rebounds and sophomore point guard Tarik Smith handed out four assists for the Jumbos. Spadaford (nine points) finished with three steals.
Pickney posted game-highs of 11 points and 16 rebounds for the Lions. Clinesmith totaled eight points and seven rebounds.
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