Box Score DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The Tufts University women's basketball team defeated UMASS Dartmouth Monday afternoon at the Tripp Athletic Center, by a score of 74-66.
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| DeCandido recorded a career-high 24 points. |
The Jumbos (15-2, 3-1 NESCAC) battled a tough Corsairs team (11-3, 5-0 LEC) for their fourth striaght win.
Erica DeCandido generated a team-high 24 points and nine boards. On the defensive end, Emily Briggs (12 points) and Jac Knapp (18 points) posted four steals apiece. For UMass Dartmouth, Nakira Examond had 32 points and 12 rebounds, with fellow forward Alicia Kutil pouring in 13 points.
The Jumbos got to the charity stripe early and often in the second period, knocking down five free throws to power an 8-0 run. Each team ran their offense through the post, as opponents DeCandido and Examond tallied 17 and 14 points, respectively, in the first half. A made layup by Briggs followed by a DeCandido short jumper put the Jumbos up 56-39, but the Corsairs responded with six straight points on the heels of Jess Korzec and Examond to narrow the deficit heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter of play, Melissa Baptista converted on a layup to widen the gap, however the hosts stormed back with twelve consecutive points on the shoulders of Examond and Kutil. With just over two minutes to go, Korzec grabbed a clutch offensive rebound and fed Kutil for a successful layup to continue the Corsair momentum.
UMass Dartmouth was forced to foul with the shot clock off, yielding a pair of made free throws by sophomore Sadie Otley. Jennie Mucciarone also finished a difficult layup through contact to seal the win.
The Jumbos snapped the Corsairs' longest winning streak in UMass Dartmouth women's basketball program history, ending the consecutive string at eight.
The Corsairs will compete in the second game of their four-game home stand on Wednesday, taking on LEC opponent UMass Boston at 5:30 p.m. Tufts will travel to Bates on Saturday, Jan. 20 for a 3 p.m. start time.
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Portions of release courtesy of UMASS Dartmouth Atheltics
