Box Score 
MEDFORD – Senior Jarred Houston finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocks as the Emerson College men's basketball team held off Tufts University 75-72 on Sunday afternoon.
The game was the home-opener at Cousens Gymnasium for Tufts, who was led by 20 points from junior Carson Cohen. Freshman Bobby Stewart (pictured) tallied 13 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench for the Jumbos. He made six of seven field goals.
The Lions led 40-36 at halftime as Houston had 12 points and junior James Beckwith added 10 in the first 20 minutes for the visitors. Cohen scored 12 and Stewart scored nine in the first half for Tufts.
The Jumbos surged to a 49-48 lead at 14:29 of the second half when sophomore Jay Dieterle hit a three-pointer. However, Emerson scored the next seven points, including a three by Beckwith, and led 55-49 with 13:13 on the second-half clock. The Lions were able to keep a multiple-possession lead over the Jumbos for the next 10-plus minutes, and were up 68-58 following a jumper by Nate Martin with 6:14 remaining in regulation.
Tufts made a late charge. A 12-5 spurt by the Jumbos led by four points each from Cohen and junior Dylan Thoerner pulled Tufts within three at 73-70 entering the final minute. After an Emerson miss, Thoerner was fouled and made both shots to get the Jumbos to 73-72 with 21 seconds left. Emerson added free throws by Beckwith and Zach Waterhouse, but left Tufts with a final shot attempt.
After a Jumbo time-out, the ball went to Aronson up top and his three-pointer at the butzzer was off the mark ending the game in Emerson's favor.
Aronson finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists for Tufts. Beckwith and Waterhouse both scored 14 points for Emerson.
The Jumbos are off until Friday when they play Salem State on the opening night of the New England Big 4 Challenge at Brandeis University.
