PROVIDENCE, RI - Tufts junior forward Michela North scored 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting in just 21 minutes of action as the visiting Jumbos used a solid defensive effort to top Rhode Island College, 60-41, at The Murray Center on Tuesday night.

The Jumbos (18-2), the No. 8 team in the country, jumped out to a 13-9 lead in the first quarter following a layup by North with 3:20 remaining in the frame. The Anchorwomen (5-13) responded, and a made free throw by senior forward Devin Hill to cut the deficit down to one, 13-12, before a late Tufts basket sent the game into the second quarter with the Jumbos up by three, 15-12.

The second quarter saw the Jumbos methodically build their lead, with a layup by North extending the advantage to seven, 22-15, with 3:43 left in the quarter. Tufts inched the lead into double digits following a three by sophomore forward Melissa Baptista with 2:22 remaining in the half. RIC was able to cut the deficit back down to seven, but back-to-back layups by North in the final 46 seconds sent Tufts into the halftime break up by 11, 30-19.

RIC shot 35.0 percent (7-for-20) from the field, while the Jumbos shot 38.7 percent (12-for-31) as a team. Tufts held a 7-1 advantage in offensive rebounds in the half.

The third quarter saw the Jumbos score early and often, using a 15-4 run to blow open the game and take a commanding, 45-24, lead with 4:01 remaining in the frame. The Anchorwomen wouldn't quit however, and a pair of made free throws by junior guard Alex Moore trimmed the lead down to 21, 49-28, entering the final quarter.

Tufts continued their dominant play early in the fourth quarter, opening their lead to as large as 22 points, 55-33, following a made layup by freshman forward Katie Martensen with 5:33 left in the game. Tufts worked its bench into the game during the last quarter and breezed to the 19-point victory.

RIC shot 32.6 percent (14-for-43) from the field, 22.2 percent (2-for-9) from downtown and 68.8 percent (11-for-16) from the charity stripe. Hill led the way with 18 points and six rebounds, with Moore posting eight points, seven rebounds and five assists in the defeat.

Tufts shot 43.6 percent (24-for-55) from the field, 27.3 percent (6-for-22) from three-point range and 46.2 percent (6-for-13) from the free throw line. North also pulled down five rebounds. Baptista scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds. Tufts held a 41-28 edge in rebounding, which included a 14-4 edge on the offensive glass.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference play at UMass Boston on Saturday (1 pm). Tufts is at Trinity for a NESCAC game Friday night at 7.

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