MEDFORD, MA (February 11, 2023) -- Junior forward
Maggie Russell sank two clutch free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining in the game to give Tufts University women's basketball team a 57-56 victory over Trinity College at Cousens Gymnasium in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play Saturday. With the win, the Jumbos earn the NESCAC regular season title and will be the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.
After Trinity ran a good play coming out of a timeout for Reilly Campbell to score and take a 56-55 lead with 26 seconds left, Russell was fouled as she was going up for a layup off an inbounds pass from
Callie O'Brien and calmly stepped up and knocked both free throws down. The Jumbos sealed the victory on the defensive end as Russell stole the in-bounds pass intended for Campbell and was able to avoid defenders as time expired.
Trinity started the game on fire as it led 11-3 early in the game before the Jumbos responded with a 14-2 run over the final four minutes and 10 seconds that saw them take a 17-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, going 6-for-6 from the field over the same stretch.
Caitlyn O'Boyle came in off the bench and provided the team a spark as she scored four points including a layup at the buzzer.
The second quarter saw the two teams trade baskets as Trinity was able to cut into the Tufts lead, but the Jumbos were able to respond and continue holding onto their lead.
Sofia Gonzalez connected on two three pointers in the quarter that helped keep the Bantams from taking the lead. A
Callie O'Brien layup with 50 seconds left in the quarter saw Tufts take a 31-23 lead going into halftime.
Coming out of halftime, Trinity continued to put the pressure on Tufts as they would cut the lead to three after a Campbell layup, but Gonzalez was able to strike back with a three-pointer and then make another one that forced Trinity to take a timeout and give Tufts a nine-point lead. The Bantams would always stay within striking distance as they would get the lead down to six before the Jumbos were able to go to the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead.
In the final frame, Tufts came out hot as they opened up a 14-point lead after Gonzalez made two free throws. Trinity showed no quit as they would go on a 19-7 run over the final 8:42 of the game. The Bantams got the ball with 29 seconds after a Jumbo turnover allowed them to take a timeout and run their play for Campbell to give them the lead. The Jumbos though would come up clutch from the free throw line as they would go 6-of-7 from the line over the same 8:42 stretch including both by Russell to give the hosts victory.
With the win, Tufts (18-6, 9-1 NESCAC) has won six games in a row. The Jumbos had 11 steals on the night shot 11-for-14 from the free throw line (78.6 percent). Tufts had a 34-31 advantage rebounding on the afternoon. Gonzalez led the way for the Jumbos with 18 points as Russell added 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and had five steals. O'Brien finished with eight points, while
Samantha Sousa and O'Boyle each contributed seven points apiece.
Annika Decker tallied five points, six boards, four assists and two steals as she played all 40 minutes.
Trinity (20-4, 7-3 NESCAC) was led by Campbell who scored 13 points. The Bantams shot 21-52 from the field (40.4 percent). The Bantams held a 28-18 advantage over the Jumbos in scoring in the paint.
Tufts will enter the NESCAC Tournament as they No. 1 seed and will host a home game in the quarterfinal round next Saturday February 18. They will host Bowdoin College at a time TBD.
--JUMBOS--
