MEDFORD - Senior tri-captain Ben Ferris scored 14 points with seven rebounds, six on the offensive end, as the Tufts men's basketball team never trailed and won 71-57 against Connecticut College in NESCAC play at Cousens Gym Friday night.

Freshman Ben Engvall scored nine points off the bench

The Jumbos improved to 6-2 in 2015 and earned their fifth victory in the last six games. Tufts is now 9-8 overall and 4-1 in the league. Junior tri-captain Stephen Haladyna added 12 points off the bench for Tufts, making all four of his shots including three trifectas.

Connecticut College remained winless in the league (0-5) while dropping to 7-10 overall. The visitors were led by a game-high 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals from sophomore Zuri Pavlin. The loss is the sixth straight by the Camels.

Tufts amassed 22 offensive rebounds overall and scored 16 second-chance points in the opening half as they surged to a 34-25 lead at intermission. Ten players had offensive rebounds for Tufts, including three by sophomore Drew Madsen.

The Jumbos bolted to an early 15-4 lead as Ferris scored five early points and sophomore Tom Palleschi had four at the free throw line. However, the Camels clawed back over the next seven minutes, closing to within 20-18 on Pavlin's traditional three-point play at 7:41 of the first half. He had six of Conn's 14 points during the stretch.

Tufts scored the next eight points though and went into the locker room with a nine-point halftime lead. Ferris had nine at the break for Tufts, who secured 12 of their offensive boards in the opening 20 minutes. Pavlin's 10 points led the Camels at the break.

The Jumbos took full control of the game by scoring the first nine points of the second half. Ferris led off with a three and freshman Vincent Pace capped the run with a dunk to give the hosts a 43-25 margin with 15:45 on the clock.

Connecticut College's Lee Messier answered with a three making it 43-28, but that's the closest the Camels would get until the closing minutes. The Tufts lead peaked at 23 twice, including 64-41 on Haladyna's lay-up at 6:07. The Camels pulled as close as 66-54 on a pair of Bryan Gross free throws at 2:32, but the Jumbos had the victory well in hand.

A total of 30 players appeared in the game as both teams emptied their benches. Palleschi finished with seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks for Tufts. Freshman Ben Engvall added nine points to the Tufts total.

Sophomore Daniel Janel finished with eight points and six rebounds in 14 minutes off the Camel bench. Gross had seven points in four minutes off the bench.

Both teams return to action tomorrow afternoon as Tufts hosts Wesleyan and Connecticut College travels to Bates.

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