MEDFORD, MA (January 13, 2024) – After a tough loss the evening prior, the Jumbos saw a successful Saturday in Cousens Gymnasium after a hard-fought battle against the Continentals of Hamilton College. For Tufts, the afternoon game resulted in not only a 70-63 victory, but also an important second win in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
The Jumbos (10-5, 2-1 NESCAC) put up 25 points in the first quarter, with senior forwards Maggie Russell and Mallory Folliard contributing 11 and six, respectively. Despite a strong response of 11 points from Hamilton freshman guard Kendall Harris, Hamilton (12-5,1-3 NESCAC) only put up 17 after the first ten minutes of play.
Making free throws was Tufts' biggest weapon in the second quarter. The hosts shot 6-6 from the line, while Hamilton struggled to convert offensive opportunities into points. Having multiple scorers is what gave the Jumbos the a 16-point edge at halftime, ultimately going on a 9-2 run with the help of seniors Samantha Sousa and Callie O'Brien as well as junior Annika Decker.
Hamilton came out of halftime ready to fire. The Continentals outscored the Jumbos 18-5 in the third quarter thanks to big-time shots from Harris and senior guard Emily Hall. Despite taking chances to start the second half, Tufts had a difficult time making baskets in the first ten minutes and only shot 2-23 from the field.
For the first few minutes of the final quarter, the intensity felt by both teams resulted in back-and-forth fouls. The Continentals ultimately faced trouble when Hall and forward Taylor Lambo each got their fifth. Without Lambo's presence under the basket, Tufts' Russell went to work with her physicality in order to get to the rim. She made all eight of her fourth-quarter free throws, playing a large role in the team going 12-13 from the line in the last ten minutes and winning the game by seven
Tufts' 74.1% team foul shot percentage kept Hamilton at bay, but it wasn't the only thing that put them on top. Russell had an outstanding 36 of the team's 70 points and also went 13-18 from the field. Russell also moved into the No. 5 spot in the all-time scoring list at Tufts, as she now sits with 1,282 points for her career. She passed Theresa Allen and her 1,257 points, and will now look to pass Melissa Baptista and her 1337 points next.
Folliard scored all eight of her points in the first half, making three of her four field goals, and Decker tallied seven points as well.
Harris finished with a team-high 29 points for Hamilton, and Lambo finished with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Hall also recorded a double-double for the Continental with 13 points and 10 boards.
The 'Bos will be on the road again next Saturday to take on another conference contender, the Bobcats of Bates College. The game will take place in the Alumni Gym of Lewiston, ME at 3 p.m.
--JUMBOS--
