Box Score WALTHAM, Mass. – The No. 3 Tufts men's basketball team overcame a slow start and thwarted a late Brandeis comeback, picking up a 74-72 victory on the road over the Judges on Friday night. The game was the second of the New England Big Four Challenge, hosted by Brandeis, and also featuring No. 2 Babson and Salem State.
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| Drew Madsen was vital for the Jumbos off the bench Friday night. |
With the win the Jumbos move to 6-0 on the season and advance to play No. 2 Babson in the championship game of the tournament on Saturday at 4 pm. The Beavers beat Salem State in the opening round of play, 82-73. The Jumbos topped the Beavers in the championship game of the tournament last year thanks to a three pointer with two seconds remaining on the clock in overtime.
With the loss, Brandeis falls to 2-2 this season and will take on Salem State in the consolation game on Saturday at 2 pm.
The Jumbos took a while to get going on Friday night, as they turned the ball over on their first five possessions of the game and the Judges took an early 7-0 lead. Sophomore Ethan Feldman got the Jumbos on the board with a three about four minutes into the game and would score the Jumbos next points over two minutes later with a layup. Feldman was the only Jumbo to score for the first seven minutes of the game as the Jumbos trailed 12-5.
A jumper by junior Vincent Pace brought the Jumbos within five, 12-7, and after Collin Sawyer scored two for the Judges, Brandeis led, 14-17 with 11:38 remaining in the first half. The Jumbos then went on a 12 point unanswered streak to take a 20-15 lead before the Judges broke that with two free throws from Jordan Cooper. Cooper followed that with a layup, and a Cooper three with 4:49 left in the first half brought the Judges within two, 23-21. But, the Jumbos outscored the Judges, 15-3, in the last 4:49 of the first half to take a 38-24 lead into halftime.
It was the Judges that would find their rhythm in the second half. The Jumbos would lead by as many as 17 early in the second half, and held on to that lead for the first 13 minutes of the second half. With 7:12 left in the game and the Jumbos up by ten, 63-53, Cooper scored two and Ian Roach followed that with a three. Sawyer added two, and the Judges were within four, 63-59. About two minutes later, Cooper brought the Judges within one, 65-54, with 3:28 remaining in the second half.
Junior Ben Engvall drained a three on the Jumbos next possession to put the visitors up, 68-64. But, the Judges would not give up, and with 43 seconds left in the game Latye Workman's layup brought them within one again, 70-69. On the Jumbos next possession Engvall missed a three, but senior co-captain Tarik Smith pulled down an important offensive rebound and was fouled. His two made free throws put the Jumbos back up by three, 72-69.
Robinson Vilmont brought the Judges within one again, 72-71, with eight seconds left. But, once again Smith was fouled on the next possession and made both free throws, giving the Jumbos the 74-71 lead with seven seconds left in the game. Vilmont was fouled before he was able to get a shot off for the Judges, and went to the line for two. He made the first, but missed the second and Engvall grabbed the rebound and was quickly fouled. Engvall missed both free throws, but the Judges weren't able to get off a good shot before the three seconds ran off the clock and the Jumbos held on for the 74-72 win.
Pace led the Jumbos with 21 points off the bench for the Jumbos. Freshman Eric Savage added 13 points and seven rebounds, Smith finished with nine points and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe late in the game when it was important. Feldman also had nine points for the Jumbos. Senior Drew Madsen had a solid night off the bench as well, pulling down seven rebounds and adding six points to the win.
Cooper was the leader for the Judges with 19 points while Tim Reale helped with 14 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Vilmont finished the evening with 12 points and five rebounds.
Salem State and Brandeis face off in the consolation game of the tournament tomorrow at 2 pm. The Jumbos will defend their title against Babson at 4 pm.
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