MEDFORD, MA (March 3, 2023) – The Tufts University Women's basketball team used a balanced attack to defeat the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 72-57, in the first round NCAA tournament first round game hosted at Cousens Gymnasium. 

To start the game, the two teams were evenly matched as the first quarter with the two teams tied at 19 points apiece. The Jumbos got off to a fast start as they knocked down their first three three-pointers, but Merchant Marine continued to battle and able to tie the game at 16 after a Lauren Hunter made layup. Tufts would respond with a Callie O'Brien three-pointer before Grace Jackson responded at the buzzer.

Maggie Russell led the way for Tufts in the second quarter as she scored seven of her 17 points in the quarter. Her points came as part of an 11-0 Jumbo run that helped propel them to a lead that they would never give back. Following a Samantha Sousa layup, Russell knocked down a three-pointer and then on the next offensive possession went hard to the hoop and made a driving layup to put Tufts up 5. The Jumbos also turned up the intensity on defense as they held Merchant Marine to 2-16 shooting from the field and took a 36-24 lead going into halftime.

Coming out of the break, Tufts continued its defensive intensity as they held Merchant Marine to seven points in the third quarter. Sousa was factor on both ends of the floor as she scored six of her career high 14 points in the quarter to the Jumbos build its lead. Sousa also had two steals to help get Tufts out in transition and lead to easy baskets. After Merchant Marine had cut the Jumbo lead down to 16, Hannah Kelly came off the bench and knocked down a big three-point shot to help give Tufts back the momentum they needed to finish off the quarter and go into the fourth leading by 27.

In the final session, Merchant Marine wouldn't make it easy on Tufts as they shot 60 percent from the field and eight of nine from the free throw line. Hunter was key as she scored 10 points including five in a 45 second span. Kelly and Sophia Davis combined to score 12 of the teams 14 points in the final frame to help seal the victory and advance in the NCAA Tournament
 
With the win, Tufts (22-6) has now won 10 games in a row. The Jumbos shot 44.3 percent from the floor Friday night, while going 9-of-11(81 percent) from the free-throw line. Russell led the Jumbos with 17 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Sousa added 14 points including 6 for 6 from the free-throw line while Kelly scored 10 points, shooting 2 of 4 from behind the three-point line.

Merchant Marine ends its season 24-3 and champions of thr Skyline Conference. They were led by Hunter who had a double-double as scored 21 points and grabbed 17 rebounds while Grace Jackson added 14 points and four assists. As a team Merchant Marine scored 30 points in the paint and scored 11 points off turnovers.

Tufts will now compete in the second round of the NCAA Tournament as they face off with Skidmore College, who defeated Johns Hopkins today 62-59, tomorrow back at Cousens Gymnasium at 6:30 PM.  
 
                                                                                                                        --JUMBOS--