MEDFORD - Sophomore guard Alex Goldfarb (New York, NY) scored a game-high 18 points and junior Alex Orchowski (Cornwall, NY) had eight points and 13 rebounds in the second half as the Tufts University men's basketball team earned a 79-67 win over Skidmore College in their season-opener Saturday night at Cousens Gym.
The Jumbos led 37-36 at the half, but opened the margin up to 11 points (54-43) eight minutes into the second half and led comfortably the rest of the way. Orchowski, a transfer from Lafayette, finished with 13 points and 17 rebounds. The Jumbos, who shot 50.9 percent from the field (29/57), had five scorers in double digits. Junior tri-captain James Long (Norwell, MA) ended up with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
After a good start, Skidmore struggled through a poor shooting night. They finished at 33.8 percent (23/68). Junior Brian Lowry (West Hartford, CT) led the Thoroughbreds with 15 points, including four of seven shooting from three-poind land. Junior Gerard O'Shea (West Sand Lake, NY) finished with 13 points, five steals and four assists.
The visitors had a 24-18 lead after two free throws by junior Melvis Langyintuo (Tamale, Ghana) at 9:40 of the first half. The Jumbos erased that deficit quickly, tying the game at 24-24 on an alley-oop dunk from senior tri-captain Matt Galvin (Floral Park, NY) to Orchowski. A three-pointer by Goldfarb (eight first-half points) gave Tufts the lead at the break.
With the score tied 41-41 early in the second half, Tufts initiated a 7-0 stretch that put them in control. Senior tri-captain Sam Mason (York, ME) had three points during the run. With Tufts up 11, Skidmore scored back-to-back baskets and was within six (54-48) after a three-pointer by senior Jeff Altimar (Medfield, MA) with 11:40 on the clock.
Goldfarb answered with consecutive three-pointers and the Jumbos led 60-48 with 10 minutes gone in the second half. The Thoroughbreds would not get within single-digits the rest of the way.
The Jumbos dominated the boards 55-30, with Goldfarb adding six to his game. Tufts did turn the ball over 27 times. Sophomore Scott Anderson (Sudbury, MA), who was in early foul trouble, finished with 11 points in just eight minutes played. Junior Amauris Quezada (New York, NY) was the fifth Jumbo in double figures with 10. Playing in his first game at Tufts, Orchowski's 17 rebounds were the most by a Jumbo since Jon Pierce had the same amount at the University of New England in December 2008.
Junior John Mantas (Niskayuna, NY) hit five of eight shots and scored 11 for Skidmore, who totaled 13 steals. Langyintuo's final line included 10 points with four rebounds.
Tufts next travels to play Regis College on Tuesday (Nov. 23). Skidmore is at Southern Vermont that night.