NEW LONDON, CT - In a remarkable defensive effort, the Tufts women's basketball team held host Connecticut College to 6 for 47 shooting (12.8 percent) in a 51-21 victory over the Camels in NESCAC action on Saturday afternoon.
Connecticut College, which entered the game 13-2 overall and 4-1 in the league, made just 2 of 25 shots (8.0 percent) in the first half and scored 11 points. The Jumbos then held the Camels to 10 points in the second half with 4 for 22 shooting (18.2 percent).
Junior Collier Clegg (Evanston, IL) scored 16 points to lead Tufts, including 6 for 10 on field goals. First-year Hannah Foley (Acton, MA) added 10 points as the Jumbos improved to 15-3 overall and 5-1 in NESCAC.
The 21 points allowed are the fewest by the Jumbos since a 67-20 victory over Emerson on November 23, 2002. Today's game came after Tufts allowed just 32 points and 19.6 percent shooting (11/56) in a victory at Wesleyan last night. As of January 19, Tufts was ranked sixth nationally allowing 46.8 points per game.
The Jumbos forced 24 Connecticut College turnovers on Saturday and blocked nine shots, including four by emerging first-year Hayley Kanner (Scarsdale, NY). Of Tufts' 13 steals, three each came from Clegg and junior co-captain Bre Dufault (Hampden, MA).
Tufts led the Camels 22-4 after a jumper by senior co-captain Kate Barnosky (Huntington Station, NY) with 5:39 remaining until halftime. Tufts led 24-11 at the break, with Clegg hitting five of six shots and tallying 12 points to lead the way. Tara Gabelman and Jenn Shinall had four points each for the Camels after 20 minutes.
Connecticut College pulled within 11 at 26-15 following a jumper by Gabelman three-and-a-half minutes into the second half, but the Jumbos scored the next 13 points to take a 39-15 advantage on a three-pointer by Foley at the nine-minute mark. The visitors cruised to the win from there.
Barnosky finished the game with eights in points and rebounds, while senior Tiffany Kornegay (Carver, MA) led the Jumbos with 10 boards and added six points. Tufts finished at 35.7 percent shooting (20/56), including just 3 for 20 (15 percent) from three-point land. They were a perfect 8 for 8 from the line. First in the nation with just 12.2 turnovers per game, the Jumbos committed 11 today.
The Camels did win the battle of the boards, 42-37, including 15 on the offensive end. Gabelman finished with nine rebounds, eight points and two blocks. Jocelyn Summer gathered six rebounds for the hosts.
Tufts plays non-conference action at home against Emmanuel on Tuesday at 7 pm. Connecticut College is next in action on Tuesday at Albertus Magnus beginning at 6 pm.
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