MEDFORD, MA (November 30, 2023) – Sophomore
James Morakis matched his career-high with 22 points, including 13 in the second half, as the 23
rd-ranked Tufts University men's basketball team remained undefeated with a hard-fought 75-71 victory over previously unbeaten Clark University on Thursday night at Cousens Gym.
Back-to-back baskets by Morakis gave the Jumbos (7-0) a 72-71 lead with 90 seconds left in the second half. The hosts would hold Clark (5-1) scoreless over the final 2:29 of play to help record the victory.
Tufts also received 15 points, eight rebounds and five blocks from sophomore
Joshua Bernstein, and 10 points off the bench including two late free throws that sealed the win by junior
Khai Champion.
Clark was paced by game-highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds from junior Kekoa McArdle, and 17 points with four assists by junior Isaiah Taylor.
The Cougars led 16-7 early and were up 21-13 on a three-pointer by sophomore Reid Neumann. Morakis started to turn it on late in the opening half and helped the Jumbos erase the margin and take a brief 30-29 lead. His two free throws tied the score at 33-33 before a late hoop by junior Bruce Saintilus gave the visitors a 35-33 margin at the break.
Five early points by Jumbo senior
Jay Dieterle gave Tufts the lead in the second half, and then six straight points from sophomore
Scott Gyimesi had the hosts up 46-39. The Jumbos would hold the lead for most of the next eight minutes until a three-point play by McArdle capped a 10-4 Cougar run that tied the score 58-58.
Clark would then have the advantage over the next four minutes, but never by more than four points including 70-66 on a Saintilus lay-up with 3:10 on the second-half clock. However, a basket by Bernstein and the two straight from Morakis surrounded a McArdle free throw that would be the Cougars' final point of the game.
A defensive rebound and free throw by junior
Trumann Gettings gave the Jumbos a 73-71 advantage. Clark had two possessions to at least tie the score, but missed shots before Champion finished it off with the free throws.
Tufts finished at 54.5 percent shooting (30/55), including 18 for 27 in the second half (66.7 percent). Champion added a team-best five assists for the Jumbos.
Clark came in shooting the three at 41 percent, but was just 4 for 17 tonight (23.5 percent).
The Jumbos finish a tough week out of the league with a game at UMass Dartmouth on Saturday at 1 PM. Clark hosts Westfield State on Saturday at 1 PM.
--JUMBOS--
