MEDFORD – The No. 4 Tufts basketball team held off a second half rally from visiting No. 24 Wesleyan to pick up a 77-73 win in Cousens Gym on Friday night.  The Jumbos got 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench from junior KJ Garrett in the win.

Tufts improves to 14-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 in NESCAC play.  With the loss, Wesleyan is now 14-4 overall and 2-3 in NESCAC play.

Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start, and the score was locked at ten with 11:36 remaining in the half.  After Wesleyan took the lead off a Harry Rafferty jump shot, the Jumbos responded with back-to-back-to back threes from sophomore Ethan Feldman, Garrett and then Feldman again to take a 21-13 lead.

Freshman Patrick Racy made a free throw about a minute and a half later to give the Jumbos the 22-13 lead.  But, the Cardinals answered with back-to-back threes from Nathan Krill and then a jumper from Rafferty brought them within one, 22-21. The game would be tied five more times that half as the two teams traded points, and a last second layup from Garrett locked the score at 38 heading into the break.

Things were close in the second half as well.  The Jumbos took and early lead, but the Cardinals tied things at 55 with 9:26 remaining in the game. Once again the Jumbos would be able to take a small lead, but the visitors did not give up and the Cardinals tied the game at 69 with a layup from Jordan Bonner with 3:23 remaining on the clock.

Garrett answered with a layup of his own and Wesleyan's Kevin O'Brien made one of two at the line to bring the Cardinals within one, 71-70.  It was then Racy that went to the line, making two to give the Jumbos the 73-70 lead. Racy and junior Everett Dayton each made free throws to give the Jumbos the 75-71 advantage with 31 seconds left.  Rafferty would try to make it a one possession game with a three with 27 seconds left, but he missed and the Jumbos hung on for the 77-73 win.

Garrett had a game-high 16 points with seven rebounds for the Jumbos.  Junior Ben Engvall added 11 points and seven rebounds with a block.  Senior tri-captain Tarik Smith finished with 13 points and four assists.  Racy tallied ten points and four boards off the bench for the Jumbos, with three of those being offensive rebounds.

Wesleyan was led by 15 points by Rafferty and he added three rebounds to his night.  Joseph Kuo finished with 13 points and eight rebounds and Salim Green added 13 points as well.  Kevin O'Brien turned in eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.

The Jumbos will stay at home and host Connecticut College on Saturday at 3 pm.  Wesleyan plays again on Saturday as well when they travel to Bates for a 3 pm start.