MEDFORD - Junior tri-captain Tom Palleschi totaled 24 points, nine rebounds and five blocks as the Tufts University Men's Basketball team cruised past Bates College, 90-75, in NESCAC action Saturday afternoon at Cousens Gym.

Tufts improved to 15-4 overall and 5-2 in NESCAC. Senior tri-captain Stephen Haladyna added 17 points and junior Tarik Smith finished with 14 as the Jumbos reached 90 or more for the seventh time this season. Tufts did not trail in the game.

Bates lost its fourth straight and dropped to 9-10 overall and 2-5 in the league. Senior tri-captain Mike Boornazian matched Palleschi with a game-high 24 points, double-doubled with 13 rebounds and added five assists.

Tufts surged to a 22-9 lead nine minutes into the first half and led comfortably throughout the contest. Palleschi's nine points led the Jumbos early as six players overall contributed to the opening run. Bates chipped the margin down to eight (22-14) on a three-pointer by sophomore Justin Zukowski at 9:24 of the first half. However, the Jumbos would build the advantage back up to 18 (47-29) by intermission.

Palleschi had 14 points in 15 first-half minutes along with five rebounds and four blocks. The Jumbos shot an even 50 percent (16/32) for the period and got six assists from Smith. Boornazian also had himself a half for the vistors with 11 points and six rebounds.

The Jumbos opened the second-half scoring with a Palleschi lay-up making it 49-29 and they would lead by at least 19 until late in the game.  The margin got as high as 27 points (73-46) on Haladyna's lay-up at 7:51 of the second half.

Bates closed the game with a 17-9 stretch in the final four minutes led by 10 points from Boornazian and five from senior Mike Newton.

Tufts had 18 assists on 28 baskets as Smith posted a double-double with 10 assists to go with his 14 points. Senior tri-captain Ryan Spadaford added eight points and nine rebounds to the winning cause. The Jumbos went to the free throw line 42 times and made 29.

The Bobcats out-rebounded the Jumbos 51-41 with junior Marcus Delpeche grabbing nine along with scoring nine points. Zukowski had seven points, four rebounds and four assists for Bates. 

The Jumbos host UMass Dartmouth in non-league action Tuesday night at 7. Bates is at Maine-Farmington on Tuesday at 7.