Box Score 
CLINTON, N.Y. – The Hamilton College men's basketball team held off Tufts University for a 77-64 victory in the Jumbos' NESCAC-opener on Friday night.
Tufts senior Luke Rogers scored the 1,000th point of his career in the game, becoming the 33rd player in Jumbo history to reach the milestone. He led the Jumbos with 22 points in the game, including 16 in the second half to help lead a Tufts comeback attempt.
The Continentals (7-7, 1-2 NESCAC) had all five starters score in double digits, led by 18 points from Conner Rood.
Rogers surpassed 1,000 points with a jumper at 10:44 of the first half, but it was really the only highlight of the period for the visitors. Hamilton built a 19-point lead late in the first half after a jumper by Owen Kane made the score 38-19. The Jumbos scored the last five points of the half though, including a three-pointer by Casey McLaren, which cut the gap to 38-24 at the break. McLaren's eight points at intermission led Tufts, while Liam Regan had nine for the Continentals. Hamilton shot 17 for 31 (54.8 percent) from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
The hosts led 44-26 early in the second half, but Tufts chipped away at the Continental lead. A 10-1 Jumbo run got the margin into single-digits at 45-36 following a McLaren jumper at the 14-minute mark. Will Brady had a three-pointer during the stretch as well. The Jumbos were then within five (51-46) when Brady made a pair of free throws with 10 minutes remaining on the second-half clock.
Hamilton was able to continue fending off the Jumbos. Tufts was within one possession (56-53) on a Rogers basket at 6:00, but Rood answered with a jumper for the Continentals. The Jumbos then closed the gap to two points (60-58) on a three-ball by Khai Champion, but Regan answered with a three of his own. That pattern would continue until the Continentals were able to pad their final margin at the free throw line.
The Jumbos were without several key players in the game. Dylan Thoerner finished with 12 points and seven rebounds for Tufts, while McLaren added 11 points and Champion had nine off the bench.
Patrick Mogan recorded 16 points for Hamilton while Nick Osarenren finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Tufts continues its opening weekend of conference play at Amherst tomorrow. Tip-off is at 3:00 pm.
