Women's Basketball Pulls Away From Camels to Win NESCAC Opener 80-56

NEW LONDON, CT (January 5, 2023) - Senior All-American Maggie Russell scored 17 of her game-high 19 points in the second half as the 21st-ranked Tufts University women's basketball team won its NESCAC opener tonight by pulling away for an 80-56 victory at Connecticut College.

Sophomore Sarah Crossett with 15 points and six rebounds, and junior Sofia Gonzalez with 14 points also had strong performances for the Jumbos, who improved to 9-3 overall. The host Camels (5-8, 0-1) were led by 12 points each from senior Rebecca Oberman-Levine and first-year Addi Hunter.

A three-pointer by Oberman-Levine had the hosts within 42-40 with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter. From there though, the Jumbos went on a 23-5 stretch that gave them a 65-45 lead after Russell hit a pair of free throws with 5:55 left in regulation. Tufts out-scored the Camels 12-0 to start the fourth and had a 27-11 advantage for the final quarter overall.

After the Jumbos took a 17-13 lead at the end of one, Connecticut College would surge to a brief lead in the second. Seven points by Oberman-Levine and three by Hunter gave them a 23-21 advantage. However, Tufts would go on a 12-2 run late in the quarter featuring seven points from Gonzalez and had a 35-27 halftime lead.

Three third-quarter three-pointers by the Camels would help keep it a close game early in the second half. Russell had 13 of Tufts' 18 points in the third quarter, and Crossett had the other five including the final bucket of the period to put Tufts up 53-45. Gonzalez then opened the fourth with a three and the Jumbos soon led by a healthy margin.

Tufts shot 50 percent for the game (30/60), the third game in a row that they've made at least half their shots. They out-rebounded the Camels 45-33 and had 17 assists on 30 baskets. Senior Callie O'Brien led Tufts with seven rebounds, and Russell added a game-high five assists.

Oberman-Levine finished with nine rebounds and four assists in a solid overall game for the Camels.

The Jumbos travel to Babson College for non-league action on Sunday. The Camels welcome Bates College for a NESCAC game also on Sunday.