Nov 30, 2015
MEDFORD, Mass. -- Third-ranked Tufts University used a 9-2 run in the middle of the 4th quarter to extend a five-point cushion on the way to a 55-43 women's basketball victory over 16th-ranked University of New England on Monday evening (Nov. 30) at Cousens Gymnasium.
The Jumbos move to 3-0 on the young season, while the setback is the first of the year for the Nor'easters (3-1).
Melissa Baptista led the hosts with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Michaela North added 10 points and 12 caroms, Emma Roberson finished with nine points and six steals, and Lauren Dillon contributed nine points along with six assists. Tufts scored nearly half (25) of its points off 25 UNE turnovers, and converted 22 offensive boards into 17 second-chance points.
The Nor'easters received a game-high 15 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks from Alicia Brown. Olivia Shaw had 10 points and six rebounds. Meghan Gribbin totaled six assists.
Each defensive system was frustrating to the opponent, as the teams combined for just 33 percent shooting accuracy overall and only 5-of-30 from long range.
An 8-0 start by the Jumbos over the initial 3:43 was countered by a 9-0 stretch from UNE in the ensuing 1:35. However, seven in-a-row for Tufts -- including the rest of Roberson's points -- set the home team up an advantage the rest of the way and a 15-11 buffer after 10 minutes.
Tufts increased the margin to six (24-18) by halftime, although both squads could only find the range on 19 percent of the shot attempts in the 2nd period.
The gap got up to 10 during the 3rd frame, but settled back at six (35-29) entering the final stanza. When things closed to 39-34, Josie Lee canned a trey from the corner as the Jumbos began their separating spurt.
UNE will entertain Wentworth Institute of Technology on Wednesday (5:30 p.m.) in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opener.