Box Score 
MEDFORD – Maggie Russell and Molly Ryan combined for 41 points as the Tufts University women's basketball team won 63-52 over Bates College in NESCAC action Saturday afternoon at Cousens Gym.
The game featured the 10th-ranked Jumbos against an up-and-coming Bobcat team that is receiving votes in the D3hoops.com national poll. The teams were tied 16-16 at the end of the first quarter, then Tufts outscored Bates 17-7 in the second quarter to build a lead they would not relinquish.
The Jumbos held Bates to three for 16 shooting (18.8 percent) in the second quarter while making eight of 16 shots (50 percent) themselves. Tufts scored the first six points of the quarter, four by Russell, to lead 22-16. Mia Roy hit a three to pull the Bobcats within 26-23 at the four-minute mark of the second, but Bates would not score again before halftime. Seven straight points by Tufts to close the half included a three-pointer by Annika Decker (pictured). The Jumbos were up 33-23 at the break, led by Russell's 12 points.
The Bobcats pulled within five points several times in the third quarter, including 44-39 on a pair of free throws by Meghan Graff with 2:26 on the clock. Tufts scored the next four before Brianna Gadaleta closed the period with a basket to keep the Bobcats well within striking distance down 48-41. Graff had eight points in the third for Bates.
The visitors were within five again on a few occasions early in the fourth quarter, including 53-48 following a three-pointer by Morgan Kennedy with 6:18 remaining in regulation. However, Tufts scored the next seven points to build a 60-48 advantage following a three-point play by Russell with 3:36 to go. That would be enough for the Jumbos to move on to the victory.
Russell was immense for Tufts, finishing with 23 points (10-18 FGs) and 16 rebounds. Ryan added 18 points with nine rebounds, four assists and four steals. Decker returned to the Tufts line-up after missing the last three games and pitched in seven points on 3 for 4 shooting.
Bates (11-4, 3-1 NESCAC) was led by Kennedy's 13 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Graff finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Gadaleta double-doubled with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Tufts (13-2, 3-1 NESCAC) hosts Bowdoin in NESCAC play next Friday night at Cousens.
