Waltham, Massachusetts (November 19, 2022)—Maggie Russell's 31 points led the Jumbos to a road victory at the Red Auerbach Arena over Brandeis, 84-70 on Saturday afternoon. The defense was also critical in the win as they held Brandeis to 26 second half points.
Eight different Jumbo players scored as they were back in action less than 24 hours after tipping off against Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on Friday night. After Russell, Junior Hannah Kelly added 16 points and freshman Annika Decker scored 15 points. Decker shot four for six from the three-point line including starting, three of three.
After leading by three at halftime, both teams traded baskets to start the third quarter. For the Jumbos it was Russell and Decker who scored the first seven points, but Brandeis was able to get back into the game after Tufts went cold. Both Caitlin Gresko and Francesca Marchese were able to make three pointers to tie the game. Following the game being tied, Tufts ended the quarter on an 11-0 run. Russell contributed five points during the run including a huge basket and foul with 4:52 left in the quarter. After she the make at the free throw line, the Jumbos didn't look back.
The Jumbos would continue the hot stretch as they would open an 18-point lead with 7:22 left in the fourth quarter. Before a Brandeis layup with 6:37 left in the fourth, the Jumbo defense held the Judge's scoreless for 10 minutes and 13 seconds. Brandeis would cut the deficit to 11 with 3:47 left, but Sarah Crossett had six of her eight points down the stretch to put the game away.
The defense was key for the Jumbos as they held Brandeis to 36.5% shooting and 30% from the three-point line. They also forced 13 turnovers and were able to generate 19 points off the turnovers. Of the teams 44 rebounds, Tufts grabbed 30 defensive rebounds to Brandeis' 23 with Crossett adding 13 herself with nine on the defensive end. On top of her 31 points, Russell was second on the team with eight rebounds with three offensive rebounds.
For the Jumbos, Russell was 12-23 from the field and 6-7 from the free throw line. As a team, the Jumbos shot 49% from the field including 9-22 from the three-point line. Tufts outrebounded Brandeis 44-34 for the game and a 14 to 10 offensive rebounding advantage.
The Judges were led by Emma Reavis, who scored 26 points to go with her four steals. Marchese made key baskets to help Brandeis to get back into the game as she was four of seven from the three-point line.
The Jumbos have now defeated the Judge's 13 straight times. Tufts moves to 4-0 on the season and will now have 12 days off before they face University of New England at home on November 27. Brandeis is now 2-3 early in the season and will face Babson at home in a nonconference game for both teams.
--JUMBOS--
