MEDFORD, MA (December 7, 2024) -- The No. 16 Tufts University men's basketball game up the first bucket of the game, but it was all Jumbos from that point as Tufts blistered visiting University of Rochester 77-57 in the opening game of the 2024 University Athletic Association (UAA) Challenge inside Cousens Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
The first half was the difference in the game, as the Jumbos shot a strong 47.5 percent (19-40) from the floor while holding Rochester (6-3) to only nine made field goals and 23.1 percent shooting from the floor.
Rochester's Bennett Kwiecinski scored off a turnover to start the game, but Tufts responded with nine straight points including five from junior
Scott Gyimesi to make it 9-2 after three minutes of action. The lead would swell up to 16 at the 10:35 mark of the first half on a tip-in by
Trumann Gettings, and then an 8-0 run later in the frame gave Tufts a 21-point edge at 43-22 after a bucket from Gyimesi. Tufts would take a 19-point lead in the intermission at 45-26.
Tufts continued to grow its lead in the second half, leading by as many as 31 midway through the period, rolling to the victory.
Gyimesi had another strong game with his fifth double-double of the season, chalking up 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. The junior was 9-of-14 from the floor including knocking down two of his three triple attempts.
Classmate
James Morakis finished with 16 points, three assists and three boards on 6-of-12 shooting, and
Joshua Bernstein had 10 points, nine rebounds and three rejections in 23 minutes. Gettings tallied eight points and four rebounds in 12 minutes of play off the bench, and
Jon Medley was solid overall with seven points, seven rebounds and four rebounds.
Sophomore
Dylan Reilly chipped in with six points on a pair of three-pointers, and
Liam Kennelly had six points, three steals and two assists in the win.
Tufts finished the game 32-of-73 from the floor, shooting 43.8 percent overall, holding a 50-34 edge in points in the paint. Tufts also recorded a 28-6 advantage in second-chance points.
Logan Jagodzinski finished with nine points to pace the Yellowjackets.
Tufts (8-1) will take on Brandeis University Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in the second of two weekend games for the Jumbos in the UAA Challenge inside Cousens Gymnasium.
--JUMBOS--
