BEVERLY, MA (November 12, 2023) -- The Tufts University men's basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a strong statement win Sunday afternoon, as sophomore
James Morakis poured in a career-high 22 points to lift the Jumbos to a 78-63 win over host Endicott College in action from MacDonald Gymnasium.
Morakis was steady and solid all game, as he finished 8-of-14 from the floor while making two of his five shots from behind the arc. The sophomore also dished out three assists, as he eclipsed his previous career-high of 12 points set at Yeshiva University last season.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, as the Jumbos trailed by one at 22-21 after a three-pointer by Ty Vitko for Endicott. Tufts would take the momentum back from that point, going on 13-2 run capped by a three-pointer by
Jay Dieterle with 4:43 to play in the opening stanza.
Endicott would trim its deficit down to three just before the break, as the Jumbos took a 38-35 lead going into the halftime locker room.
The Jumbos (1-0) came out hot after the intermission, as
Scott Gyimesi gave Tufts its first double-digit lead of the game at 55-45 with a bucket with 14:40 to go in regulation. The lead hovered around 10 for the majority of the frame until a 10-1 run by the Jumbos gave them an 18-point lead at 76-58 after two free throws by junior
Khai Champion. Tufts would control the last few minutes to hold onto for season-opening victory.
In addition to Morakis and his strong start, fellow sophomore
Scott Gyimesi finished with a career-high 18 points on 9-of-16 shooting, adding 13 rebounds to his ledger. Sophomore
Joshua Bernstein tallied eight points and 13 boards, blocking three shots and adding two steals, and Dieterle finished with eight points, six rebounds and four helpers. Champion tallied 12 points off the bench, and senior
Casey McLaren posted six points and six boards as well.
Tufts shot 44.3 percent from the floor on the game (31-70), but scored 50 of its 78 points in the painted area. Tufts was also 11-of-16 from the charity stripe (68.8%).
Endicott was led by the 14 points from Jeff Hill, and Elijah Kinney also tallied 13 points and eight rebounds for the Gulls (0-1).
The Jumbos will open their home slate on Tuesday night, taking on the Lions of Emerson College in more non-conference action.
--JUMBOS--
