Box Score 
MEDFORD – Led by sophomore Maggie Russell's (pictured) 20 points and 13 rebounds, the Tufts University women's basketball team defeated the DeSales University Bulldogs 58-47 on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship at Cousens Gymnasium, advancing to the NCAA "Sweet 16."
Tufts will play rival Amherst College in the next round. The site of the NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite 8 will be announced on Sunday. The Jumbos are in the Sweet 16 for the 10th straight tournament, dating back to 2011-12.
The Jumbos got on the board first today with a Russell mid-range jumper which was the beginning of an 8-2 run to start the game that included an Erin Poindexter McHan three-pointer and a Molly Ryan free throw and layup. DeSales sophomore Mikaela Reese responded with a deep jumper and the Bulldogs fought back into the game, tying it up at 10 with just over four minutes left in the quarter on a three-pointer from senior Averi Jordan. Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter, going into the second tied 14-14.
The Jumbos started the second quarter on a 7-0 run, with consecutive layups from Callie O'Brien and Russell, followed by a Russell three-pointer. DeSales responded with an 8-2 run to get within one point which was halted by a Ryan three-pointer to extend the Jumbos' lead to four points with four minutes remaining in the first half. Ryan followed that up with two free throws and Angela Alibrandi had a layup, but DeSales' Maria Newsome hit a three-pointer shortly after, making it just a three-point game. O'Brien responded with a jumper, taking Tufts into halftime with a 32-27 lead.
The third quarter was even, with both defenses limiting the opposing offense's chances of going on a run. With both teams trading baskets, Poindexter McHan had a layup, followed by an O'Brien three-pointer and with just over seven minutes remaining in the quarter, an O'Brien layup gave Tufts a tie for the largest lead of the game at seven. The Bulldogs went on to outscore the Jumbos 6-5 to end the quarter on a Reese three-pointer, a Kate Early layup and Jordan free throw, bringing the game to the fourth quarter with a 45-40 Tufts lead.
The difference in the game was the Jumbos' defensive performance in the fourth quarter, as they gave up just seven points playing extremely tight defense, drawing fouls and leaving DeSales scoreless for almost half the quarter. On the offensive end, Russell led Tufts with seven of the team's 13 fourth-quarter points, helping seal the 58-47 victory and punch the Jumbos' ticket to the NCAA Championship "Sweet 16."
Along with Russell's 20-point and 13-rebound double-double, Ryan finished with 14 points, three assists and three rebounds for the Jumbos. Reese led the way for the Bulldogs, scoring 17 points along with three rebounds while Jordan finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Jumbos improve to 22-4 on the season with the victory and will face off against the Mammoths, who defeated St. John Fisher 55-45 tonight. Christopher Newport University and either Trinity (Texas) or Whitman will be at Tufts' pod.
Written by Tim O'Brien, Athletic Communications Intern
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