Box Score MEDFORD – The No. 1 Tufts women's basketball team used a strong third period and 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists from senior Erica DeCandido to pick up a 73-51 win over visiting Babson on Wednesday night in Cousens Gym.
The Jumbos improve to 17-0 overall with the win, while Babson is now 8-7 after the setback.
The Jumbos jumped out to an early three-point lead, but Babson was able to tie things up at five with six minutes left in the first quarter. Tufts got a three from senior Cailin Harrington and then a layup from DeCandido. After a Jumbo layup from sophomore Sofia Rosa, the Beavers answered with a layup from Katherine Tamulionis with 3:15 left in the quarter to bring the Jumbos lead down to five. But, Harrington made a layup on the Jumbos end of the court and then two points from junior Emily Briggs put Tufts ahead by nine with 2:37 left in the quarter. The Jumbos were ahead 20-10 after one.
Babson cut that lead in the second quarter. Down by 11 with 2:29 left in the second quarter the Beavers scored eight unanswered to cut the Jumbos lead to three. It started with a free throw from Nicole Hiller and then Megan Bauman sunk a three to bring the Beavers within five. A layup from Emily Bonifacic cut the Jumbos lead to three, 35-32, with 1:13 until halftime. Senior Sadie Otley turned in a three with just three seconds on the clock to give the Jumbos the 38-32 halftime lead.
The Jumbos came out of the break and quickly pushed their led to ten thanks to layups from sophomore Molly Ryan and DeCandido. Ahead by eight with 3:47 left in the third Harrington made a three, and then six points from Rosa pushed the Jumbo lead to 17 with 2:12 left in the quarter. Babson answered with a layup from Jade Perry and then a couple of free throws from Tamulionis to cut the lead to 13. But, DeCandido made a layup with a second left to put the Jumbos ahead, 57-42, at the end of three.
After the two teams traded baskets to open the fourth Ryan drained a three and then Briggs made a layup and the Jumbos were up, 64-44. They outscored the Beavers 16-9 in the final frame on their way to the 73-51 win.
DeCandido led all scorers with 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Harrington finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Ryan turned in 13 points, including three-for-four from behind the arc, and added five rebounds. Briggs tallied 12 points and three boards. Rosa finished with eight points and four rebounds.
Tamulionis was the Beaver's leading scorer with 11 points and three boards. Bonifacic helped with ten points and five rebounds. Megan Bauman added nine points and four rebounds. Katie Jones tallied six points and Samantha Smith finished with five points.
The Jumbos are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Bates for a 3 pm start. Babson plays again on Saturday at 3pm when WPI visits.
