Box Score CLINTON, N.Y. - Sophomore Molly Ryan calmly sank two free throws with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift the top-ranked Tufts University women's basketball team to a 63-62 NESCAC win against the Hamilton College Continentals at Hamilton's Margaret Bundy Scott Field House on Friday night.
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| Lilly Paro energized the Jumbos with 13 points off the bench. |
The Continentals (10-6, 0-3) had taken a 62-61 lead on a three-pointer by sophomore Kelcie Zarle moments earlier. Ryan was fouled and with the game on the line hit the two freebies. After a last-gasp three by the Continentals was off the mark, Tufts remained unbeaten at 15-0 (2-0 NESCAC).
The fast-paced Continentals gave the Jumbos all they could handle. The hosts were up 44-39 with 6:26 to go in the third quarter following a three-point play by sophomore Liz Arnold. Tufts went on a 10-0 run during the next two minutes with a pair of three-pointers by Ryan and four free throws from senior co-captain Erica DeCandido.
The Jumbos held a 53-47 lead going into the fourth quarter, but Hamilton would rally to tie the score at 59-59 on Zarle's jumper with 1:52 remaining. Tufts sophomore Sofia Rosa answered with a jumper at 1:44 for a 61-59 Jumbo lead. A pair of Tufts misses sandwiched around a Continental miss led to Zarle's late three before Ryan came through in the clutch.
The Jumbos had taken an 18-14 lead after the first quarter, but Hamilton out-scored Tufts 22-16 in the second and led 36-34 at the half. Neither team led by more than eight points in the game and there were 12 ties and 14 lead changes.
DeCandido led the Jumbos with 17 points and nine rebounds while adding four assists. Senior Lilly Paro poured in 13 points in 16 minutes off the bench including three trifecatas. Ryan stacked up 10 points, seven steals, five assists and five rebounds. Tufts enjoyed a 40-32 advantage on the glass and went 13 for 14 at the free-throw line.
Arnold paced the Continentals with 17 points and handed out four assists. Zarle dropped in 16 points and junior Kayla Glemaud filled the stat sheet with 11 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots. Scout Lansing dished out four assists. Hamilton owned a 16-8 advantage in second-chance points.
The Jumbos travel to nationally-ranked #4 Amherst College for a conference contest on Saturday at 3 pm. The Continentals host Bates College for another NESCAC game on Saturday.
Portions of game recap courtesy of Hamilton College
