MEDFORD, MA (November 19, 2024) -- The Tufts University women's basketball team chalked up a 14-2 run to close the third quarter, using that spurt to pull away for a 71-60 win over visiting Endicott College in the 2024-25 home opener inside Cousens Gymnasium in non-conference play.
The Jumbos (2-0) game plan of getting to the rim was evident in the opening half of action, as Tufts hit just one shot outside of the paint as it led 33-28 at the halftime buzzer. Despite going 1-of-11 in the first half, Tufts took the five-point edge into the halftime break thanks to strong inside play from junior
Sarah Crossett and senior
Caitlyn O'Boyle. The pair combined for 14 points on lay-ups, while first-year
Monet Witherspoon also added seven points in the opening frame.
In the first half, Tufts led by as much as 10 points at 14-4 following a bucket by O'Boyle with 4:44 to play in the first quarter. Endicott responded with a 12-0 run over the next four minutes to take a 16-14 edge before
Sophia Davis tied the score at 16 going into the second quarter on a breakaway layup. Tufts shot back ahead by nine quickly in the second quarter, as Davis made it 27-18 with a bucket with 6:18 left in the opening half. Endicott got as close as three in the second quarter, but Tufts pushed the lead back out to two possessions going to halftime.
The Gulls wouldn't go away though, as Endicott (1-2) took a three-point lead at 37-34 after a Libby Fleming jumper just over three minutes into the second half. That's when the Jumbos would start to get things going offensively, using that decisive 14-2 run over a five minute stretch to take a 48-41 advantage into the fourth quarter. The momentum continued into the fourth quarter, leading by as much as 16 points in rolling to the victory.
Witherspoon led all Jumbo scorers with a career-high 14 points, as she was an impressive +17 when she was on the floor. Witherspoon also added three rebounds and a steal, as she was 5-of-8 from the floor including going 2-of-4 from behind the three-point arc. Crossett finished with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in the win, and O'Boyle came off the bench to go 5-for-6 for 10 points. O'Boyle also pulled in a team-high seven caroms, and
Sofia Gonzalez added nine points, six rebounds and three assists.
Sophomore
Stella Galanes provided a spark in the second half, scoring all eight of her points after halftime, and
Annie Ryan also scored five points off the bench. Davis scored six points, blocked two shots and added three rebounds in the victory, as Tufts shot 41.2 percent (28-68) on field goals Tuesday. The Jumbos won the rebounding battle 44-33, and also assisted on 18 of 28 made field goals.
Endicott got a game-high 17 points from Emma Shinney, and Sofia Mazzotta and Fleming added 10 and 12 points, respectively. Endicott shot 41.4 percent on the night, but made just two of its 13 three-pointers.
Tufts will take on Babson College (2-2) Friday night at 5:30 p.m. in more non-conference play inside Cousens Gymnasium.
--JUMBOS--
