MEDFORD - The #22 Tufts Men's Basketball team capped an outstanding opening weekend of NESCAC play with a 92-65 victory over Colby College Saturday afternoon at Cousens Gym.

Senior tri-captain Ryan Spadaford made five of nine on three-pointers to finish with 21 points, while sophomore Vincent Pace led the Jumbos with 22. Junior tri-captain Tom Palleschifinished with 19 as the trio combined for 62 points. Tufts has now won eight straight and stands at 11-2 overall and 2-0 in the league.

Colby was led by 21 points from senior Ryan Jann, who hit on four of six three-point attempts. The Mules (10-3, 0-2 NESCAC) dropped their second straight after entering the weekend on a 10-game winning streak. 

Coming off last night's 102-69 win against Bowdoin at home in which they were 17 for 34 on three-pointers, Tufts was red-hot from distance once again this afternoon. Led by Spadaford, Tufts was 13 for 27 (.481) from downtown against Colby. For the weekend, the Jumbos went 30 for 61 on threes (.492) and averaged 97 points per game.

A pair of threes by Spadaford and another from senior tri-captain Stephen Haladyna helped the Jumbos pull out to a 20-8 lead five minutes into the game. Colby scored the next five points, including three free throws from senior John Gallego, to close within 20-13 at the seven-minute mark. However, with a 7-0 spurt led by five points from Palleschi, the Jumbos took a 27-13 advantage at 11:23 of the first half and would lead by double digits for the rest of the game.

The margin was 17 at halftime (52-35) as Tufts shot 17 for 32 (.531) and Colby was at 10 for 30 (.333). Spadaford had 16 (four threes) at intermission for the Jumbos and Jann scored 12 for the Mules.

Colby came within 15 three times early in the second half as Jann got hot from three-point range. The Mules were down 61-46 following sophomore Pat Dickert's lay-up at 16:00, but the Jumbos' lead remained more than comfortable throughout the remainder of the game.

Pace added eight rebounds and Palleschi had seven as the Jumbos were +10 for the game (41-31). Haladyna pulled down 10 rebounds and put up eight points for the Jumbos, who were also 17 for 18 (94.4 percent) from the foul line. Junior Tarik Smith recorded eight points and six assists.

Colby was not at full strength due to a flu virus running through the team. Dickert was the only other Mule in double figures with 14 points. Senior Patrick Stewart finished with eight points and four rebounds.

The Jumbos are off until returning to NESCAC play next Friday at Middlebury. Colby is also off next week until Friday's NESCAC game at Williams.

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