Box Score MEDFORD – Four different players scored in double-digits and the No. 1 Tufts women's basketball team used a strong second half to earn a 77-61 win over visiting Trinity on Friday night in Cousens Gym. Junior Erin Poindexter-McHan led Jumbo scorers with a career-high 14 points.
The Jumbos improve to 21-0 overall and 7-0 in conference games with the win. Trinity is now 15-6 overall and 4-3 in NESCAC play.
The Bantams outscored the Jumbos in the first period. Poindexter-McHan put the Jumbos ahead, 5-4, with a three about three and a half minutes into play. Senior Erica DeCandido added a layup to push the lead to three, and threes from seniors Cailin Harrington and Sadie Otley pushed the Jumbo lead to nine, 13-4, about halfway through the period. But, the Bantams outscored the Jumbos 13-3 in the final four minutes of the quarter to take a 19-18 lead after one played.
Trinity pushed their lead to five with a couple of three throws from Bria Fuller and then two more from Althoff about two minutes into the second quarter. Down by six, 25-19, with just under six minutes until halftime the Jumbos got a three from sophomore Molly Ryan. After a single Bantam free throw from Madison Stevens, sophomore Sofia Rosa made a layup for the Jumbos and then a three from Poindexter-McHan put them ahead 27-26 with 3:28 left in the quarter.
A jumper from Fuller put the Bantams on top again, and then jumpers from Naia Saddler and Kaylen Campbell pushed their lead to five again. Once again Poindexter-McHan drained one from downtown for the Jumbos to cut the lead to two, 32-30, with 1:44 to go. Trailing 34-33, the Jumbos got a jumper from Poindexter-McHan with nine seconds left to take a 35-34 lead into the break.
The two teams traded the lead six times in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Down 40-39 the Jumbos got a three from Otley to put them ahead 42-40. Junior Emily Briggs then added a layup. Over the next two minutes the Jumbos made four free throws and the Bantams two. DeCandido put Tufts ahead 48-44 with a jumper with 4:52 left in the third. A layup from Ryan and a free throw from Briggs pushed the lead to seven, and the Jumbos were ahead, 53-48, after three periods.
Tufts outscored Trinity 24-13 in the final frame to help secure the win. Otley opened the fourth with a three for the Jumbos, and after the teams traded points DeCandido pushed the lead to ten, 60-50, about three minutes into the fourth. Otley then added a jumper, DeCandido two layups and Briggs a couple free throws to push the Jumbo lead to 18 about halfway through the fourth quarter. After a free throw from Katie Kirsch, the Jumbos got a three from Briggs that put them ahead 20, 71-51, with 2:58 to go. They held on for the 77-61 win.
Poindexter-McHan led Jumbo scorers with 14 points. Otley finished with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Briggs tallied 13 points and six boards. DeCandido added 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Rosa turned in eight points and a couple of boards off the bench. Harrington added three points, four assists and seven rebounds.
Fuller led the Bantams with a game-high 19 points. Althoff turned in ten points and five boards and Peace Kabari helped with ten points and five boards as well. Bailey Hyland tallied six points and four rebounds.
The Jumbos are back in action on Saturday when they host Connecticut College for a 3 pm start. Trinity travels to Bates, where they will face off with the Bobcats at 3 pm on Saturday.
