MIDDLETOWN, CT (March 1, 2025) -- Third-seed and No. 9 Tufts University started fast but couldn't keep up the momentum as the Jumbos fell to second-seed and No. 6 Trinity College 74-51 in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament semifinals at Silloway Gymnasium Saturday.
With the loss, Tufts (21-5) will now await to hear where and when it will play in the NCAA Tournament, as the Jumbos are all but assured of a spot in the 64-team tournament starting next Friday, March 7. Trinity will take on host Wesleyan University Sunday at noon for the NESCAC title.
The Jumbos got out to a quick start Saturday afternoon, taking a quick 7-1 lead three minutes into the game after five points from junior
Joshua Bernstein and a bucket by classmate
James Morakis.
Tufts continued to lead until Trinity deadlocked the game at 11 on a three-pointer by Paul Jordan with 10:18 to play in the first half. Sophomore
Jon Medley nailed a three-pointer to put Tufts back in front, but the Bantams responded with a 14-3 run to take a 28-17 lead with 4:46 to go in the opening half.
Morakis would pull Tufts to within seven with just over three minutes to go in the first half, but Trinity pushed its edge back up to 36-25 at halftime. The Bantams came out of the locker room in the second half and quickly built its lead to 19 points at 17:34 to in regulation.
Tufts' deficit would shrink to 13 with 15 minutes to go after a triple from
Zion Watt, but the Bantams slowly pulled away to punch its ticket to the NESCAC title game Sunday.
Bernstein led all Tufts' scorers with 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting, hitting all three free throws as well while adding seven rebounds as well. Morakis tallied 10 points as well for the Jumbos, and junior
Scott Gyimesi contributed six points,11 rebounds and six assists.
Medley recorded six points while Watt came off the bench to tally eight points in 24 minutes of action. Tufts' was mired in foul trouble for much of the game, as three of the five starters were limited due to fouls.
Tufts shot its second-lowest field goal percentage of the season, making just 32.8 percent (19-58) from the floor.
Trinity had four players in double figures, led by the 14 points from Will Dorion. Henry Vetter and Drew Lazarre each had 11, while Jarrel Okorougo finished with 10 points as well.
The Bantams out-rebounded Tufts 50-33, the largest rebounding margin of the season against the Jumbos. Trinity shot well from three-point land, making 40.9 percent (9-22) while adding a solid 17-of-21 (81 percent) at the free throw line.
Tufts will find out where, when and who it will play next weekend in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 3 at 12 p.m. with the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Show on NCAA.com.
--JUMBOS--
