LEWISTON, ME (February 16, 2025) -- In a pivotal New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) match-up at Alumni Gym, the Bates Bobcats (16-8, 6-4 NESCAC) pulled away late to secure a 62-46 victory over the Tufts University women's basketball team (15-9, 5-5 NESCAC). Bates used a dominant second half, outscoring Tufts 39-24 over the final two quarters to break open what had been a close game.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first two quarters. Tufts shot just 24.2% from the field overall, while Bates fared slightly better at 43.4%. Despite a slow start, Tufts managed to stay close with a strong defensive effort, forcing 12 Bates turnovers in the first half.
Bates led 16-12 after the first quarter, thanks in part to Alexandra Long's strong inside presence. The Jumbos responded in the second, winning the period 10-7, as Monet Witherspoon found success attacking the rim. At halftime, the Bobcats held a slim 23-22 lead.
The turning point came in the third quarter when Bates surged ahead with a 17-7 advantage. Sophie Spolter sparked the run with consecutive mid-range jumpers, and Ava James knocked down two key three-pointers. Tufts, meanwhile, struggled from the field, hitting just 20% of their shots in the period.
By the end of the third, Bates had built a 40-29 lead, their largest of the game.
Tufts attempted to rally in the fourth, with Stella Galanes knocking down two big three-pointers to cut the lead to single digits. However, Lily Brown answered with a three of her own, and Bates put the game away at the free-throw line, shooting 7-of-10 from the stripe in the final period.
For Tufts, Galanes led the way with 13 points, while Witherspoon added 12. The Jumbos were hurt by their poor shooting performance (24.2% FG), especially in the third quarter when they made just 3-of-15 shots.
Senior Sofia Gonzalez had eight points, eight rebounds and five steals, while Callie O'Brien came off the bench to total six points and three assists. Caitlyn O'Boyle had eight rebounds as well for the Jumbos.
Elsa Daulerio was a force inside for Bates, finishing just short of a double-double (13 points, 9 rebounds), while Long contributed 12 points and eight assists. Brown came off the bench to add 12 points, including four three-pointers.
Bates out-rebounded Tufts 45-33 and shot a solid 43.4% from the field.
The Jumbos will be the No. 6 seed in the NESCAC Tournament starting next Saturday, and will travel to Hartford, CT to battle the Bantams of Trinity College at 2 p.m. in Oosting Gymnasium.
--JUMBOS--
