KEENE, NH (December 9, 2023) -- The undefeated start to the 2023-24 season for the No. 12 Tufts University men's basketball team continued on Saturday, as the Jumbos avenged last year's NCAA Tournament Second Round loss to Keene State with a thrilling 65-63 win over the No. 5 Owls in play from Spaulding Gymnasium. Sophomore
Joshua Bernstein broke a tie game with a lay-up with under two seconds to play to give the Jumbos the win.
Tufts (10-0), which is enjoying its best start in program history this season, showed poise and determination as it trailed for much of the game. The thing that allowed the Jumbos to make a late charge was its strong defensive output and incredible depth. That depth was on display today, as the Jumbos posted a 23-8 edge in bench points while holding the host Owls (8-2) to just 32 percent shooting int he second half.
The Jumbos trailed by six points heading into the second half, and continually got their deficit down into the single-possession range before KSC would push it back up to three scores. With 15:13 to go in regulation, Jeff Hunter hit a lay-up to put the Owls up seven at 41-34, but Tufts scored 10 of the game's next 14 points to make it a one-point game after a jumper from first-year
Jon Medley.
Once again, Keene State built its advantage up to seven at 56-49 with seven minutes to play, but Tufts wouldn't go away as Bernstein converted an old fashioned three-point play to give the Jumbos their first lead since 8-6 at 61-60 with 2:17 left. The two teams traded empty possessions before sophomore
James Morakis drove to the bucket for a lay-up to make it 63-60 with 56 seconds to play.
KSC would tie the game with 29 seconds left after a Nate Siow bucket, but Tufts called a timeout and drew up a play for their sophomore big man. After some screening, Bernstein was fed the ball by senior
Jay Dieterle, finishing with his left hand for the game winner. Keene State got a half court shot off but it was off the mark as Tufts stayed unbeaten.
The first half was tight through the first 10 minutes, but a 10-0 run by the Owls to make the score 24-14 gave the hosts their largest lead of the game. The Jumbos got as close as four on a three-pointer by junior
Khai Champion with 37 seconds left in the half, but Octavio Brito pushed the KSC lead back up to six with a bucket at the halftime buzzer.
Champion had his best game as a Jumbo Saturday afternoon, as he was 7-of-11 from the floor including nailing all three of his trifectas en route to 17 points off the bench. Bernstein posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, blocking three shots as well, and
Scott Gyimesi was solid with 10 points, nine caroms and three assists.
Morakis also totaled nine points, while Medley came off the bench to add six points. Tufts shot the ball well in the second half to help fuel the comeback, knocking down 47 percent in the second 20 minutes. Tufts was also 9-of-10 at the line for the game, and turned the ball over just 10 times Saturday.
Fifth-ranked Keene State got a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds from their All-American Hunter, as he blocked three shots while connecting on nine of his 14 field goals. Brito finished with 15 points, but senior
Casey McLaren of Tufts did a great job on making things difficult on him as he shot just 6-of-18 from the field. Siow also added 10 points, and Tahmeen Dubree finished with 11 rebounds Saturday.
Prior to Saturday, these two teams had met 12 times with each holding six victories. With Saturday's win, Tufts now has a 7-6 edge in the all-time series while winning three of the last five. It was Tufts' first win in Keene, NH since 2005.
The Jumbos will head home for the Holidays before returning to action on the West Coast December 28 at California Lutheran University at 5 p.m. EST in Thousand Oaks, CA.
--JUMBOS--
