BOSTON (November 25, 2023) -- The Tufts University men's basketball stayed unbeaten on the 2023-24 season on Saturday, as the Jumbos never trailed in a dominant 83-41 non-conference victory over local rival UMass Boston in the first game of the 3rd Annual Black Collegiate Coaches Classic from Clark Athletic Center on the campus of UMass Boston.
Tufts played everyone dress in the victory, as the Jumbos moved to 5-0 for the second straight season and the third time in the last four seasons. The Jumbos has 13 players score in the victory, as the visitors shot 48.7 percent on the afternoon while allowing just 27.9 percent shooting by the Beacons. Sophomore forward
Scott Gyimesi had another strong game as the statistical leader for the Jumbos, leading all scorers with 16 points while pulling in seven boards. Gyimesi made eight of his 11 field goals on the day.
The game was close through the first 10 minutes of the contest, as Tufts was up just five at the second media timeout at 14-9 after a three-pointer from senior guard
Jay Dieterle. The lead hovered around two possessions until Tufts went on a 12-3 run over the last four minutes of the first half to take a 14-point lead at 36-22 going to the intermission.
The second half was all Jumbos as the visitors shot 51.2 percent in the stanza while allowing just 19 points and forcing 11 turnovers in the win. 13 players had a field goal in the second half for Tufts, as the Jumbos posted their biggest margin of victory (42) over an opponent since defeated Newbury College 89-43 (46) on January 14, 2014.
Sophomore
James Morakis posted 10 points and five rebounds in just 17 minutes of action Saturday, adding two steals and first-year
Liam Kennelly had his best game as a Jumbo with 11 points, four steals, three boards and two helpers.
Junior
Bobby Stewart added nine points, five rebounds, and two steals, posting the team's best plus-minus at +23, while
Joshua Bernstein finished with six points, three blocks and a team-best eight rebounds. Dieterle finished with six points and team-best five helpers, and
Khai Champion came off the bench to add seven points.
Tufts dominated inside with a 58-20 edge in points in the paint, while adding a 26-8 edge in points off turnovers and an 18-8 second-chance point edge. Tufts also posted a 50-32 edge on the glass, and forced 19 Beacon turnovers Saturday.
Ish Fofana tallied 13 points, six rebounds and five steals in the loss for UMass Boston (1-5).
The Jumbos will complete a four-game road swing on Tuesday, November 28, heading to Worcester, MA to take on Worcester Polytechnic Institute at 7 p.m. in more non-conference action.
--JUMBOS--
