WALTHAM, MA (November 16, 2024) -- Junior
Sarah Crossett poured in 16 points Saturday afternoon in the 2024-25 season opener for the Tufts University women's basketball team, helping the Jumbos to a 67-61 win over host Brandeis University in non-conference play from Red Auerbach Arena.
The Jumbos (1-0) put four players in double figures on Saturday, led by Crossett who finished 5-of-11 from the floor while nailing all of her six free throws. Senior point guard
Annika Decker had a strong game as well, missing just one of her six field goals while adding five steals in the win.
The two teams traded the lead back and forth during the opening stanza, but Brandeis was able to score the final three points of the opening period to take a 19-17 edge into the second frame. Tufts rallied back with a 7-0 run to regain the lead at 24-21 following a triple from senior guard
Sofia Gonzalez.
Tufts would continue to lead, growing its edge up to six just before halftime with a jumper by Decker to make it 35-29 at the halftime intermission.
After the break, Tufts took its largest lead at 13 points on a layup by
Stella Galanes with 3:11 to play in the third period, but an 8-0 run by Brandeis made it 46-41 going to the fourth.
Brandeis would trim the Tufts' lead down to two with a minute to play, but Gonzalez raced in for a layup and the foul to make it a two-score game. Decker would nail four straight free throws, and two more from Crossett clinched the win for the Jumbos.
Gonzalez recorded 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in the win, while
Annie Aspesi also recorded 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting. First-year
Monet Witherspoon also recorded four points, three rebounds and two steals in the win.
Senior
Caitlyn O'Boyle pulled in four rebounds as wel, as Tufts shot 41.3 percent (26-63) from the floor.
Brandeis (2-2) got a game-high 26 points from Lulu Ohm, and Caitlin Gresko also added 10 points.
Tufts will open their home slate on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m., hosting Endicott College in non-conference action inside Cousens Gymnasium.
--JUMBOS--
