Box Score MEDFORD – The Tufts men's basketball team used a strong second half and double-digit points from five different players to earn an 89-71 win over visiting St. Joseph on Saturday afternoon in Cousens Gym.
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| Tyler Aronson helped with 12 points, three assists and five steals |
The Jumbos improve to 4-0 with the win, while the Blue Jays are now 1-2 after the loss.
The Jumbos started the game on fire scoring the first 12 points of the game to take an early 12-0 lead. Junior Luke Rogers opened the game with a dunk, and then classmate Brennan Morris drained a three. Rogers added two free throws, and a layup and a three from sophomore Tyler Aronson put the Jumbos ahead by 12 four minutes into play.
The Blue Jays got on the board with a layup from Ryan O'Neill and he made the free throw after for the three-point play. Halfway through the first half the Jumbos were ahead, 27-10, but St. Joseph fought their way back into the game. The comeback started with a couple of free throws from O'Neill. Then Delshawn Jackson Jr. made back-to-back layups and O'Neill sunk a three to bring the Blue Jays within eight, 27-19, with 8:25 left in the half.
After a three from Aronson for the Jumbos, Jackson Jr. and O'Neill each turned in layups, and then Tyshawn Welborn Jr. made two free throws to bring the Blue Jays within five, 30-25, with seven minutes left in the half. A layup from Taelon Martin cut the Jumbo lead to three, 30-27.
After two free throws from junior Max Oppenheim, Welborn Jr. made a layup and then a layup from Martin brought the visitors within one, 34-31. The Jumbos answered with a three-point play from Eric Savage with a layup and the free throw after. The two teams traded baskets, and the Jumbos took a 42-37 lead into the break.
Rogers opened the second half with a dunk, but the visitors answered with a layup from Jake Sullivan. Rogers then made a layup and Morris drained a three that put the Jumbos ahead by ten, 49-39, just about two minutes into the second half.
About seven minutes into the second half and ahead by eight, 57-49, the Jumbos added to that lead. Savage started it with two free throws, Oppenheim made one free throw and junior Will Brady added a layup to make it 62-49 in the Jumbos favor. O'Neill turned in a three for the Blue Jays, but freshman Casey McLaren answered with one from downtown on the Jumbos end of the court. Rogers then added two free throws to put the Jumbos ahead by 15, 67-52, with just under ten minutes left to play.
The Blue Jays didn't give up, but the Jumbo advantage was too much to overcome and Tufts picked up the 89-71 win.
Morris led the offense with 20 points, including five threes. Rogers finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Savage added 13 points and eight rebounds, along with three assists. Aronson added 12 points, three assists and five steals. Cohen turned in 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Oppenheim finished with five points and four blocks off the bench for the Jumbos. McLaren added six points, and Brady finished with five points and three rebounds.
Jackson Jr. led the Blue Jay offense with 20 points and four rebounds. O'Neill finished with 16 points and four boards. Martin added 11 points and three rebounds. Jordan Powell collected six points and seven rebounds.
The Jumbos continue their homestand with a Tuesday contest against MIT scheduled for a 7 pm start. St. Joseph plays again on Tuesday when they host Salve Regina for a 7 pm tip off.
