Jan. 24, 2012

Box Score

MEDFORD, Mass. - The Tufts University women's basketball team marched out to a 30-4 lead and went on to win for the 16th time in their last 17 games, posting a 73-35 final against Emmanuel College in non-league action on Tuesday night at Cousens Gym. The loss drops the Saints to 12-5 on the season, while Tufts improves to 16-3 with the victory.

Along with another stellar defensive performance, Tufts was 11 for 19 on three-pointers (57.9 percent) in the game. The Jumbos were led by junior co-captain Bre Dufault (Hampden, Mass.), who had 14 points on 5 for 7 field goals and 3 for 4 three-pointers. Freshman guard Kelsey Morehead (Foster City, Calif.) finished with 13 points, including 3 three-pointers.

Emmanuel, held to its lowest point total of the season, was led by nine points from senior guard Meghan Kirwan (Melrose, Mass.). The Saints lost for the first time in six games.

Tufts held its third straight opponent to 35 points or under. In the last three games, the Jumbos are allowing just 29.3 points per game. Currently allowing 50.4 points per game overall, Tufts is one of the top-10 ranked teams in the NCAA Division III defensively. Opponents are shooting just 20.0 percent (31/155) from the field against them in the last three games, including tonight's 14/52 (26.9 percent) mark by Emmanuel.

The hosts finished the game with seven blocks and 14 steals. Freshman center Hayley Kanner (Scarsdale, N.Y.) blocked three shots and senior Tiffany Kornegay (Carver, Mass.) made five steals. Emmanuel junior Fiona O'Dwyer (Stamford, Conn.) had three blocked shots on the night.

The Jumbos scored 18 straight points during an eight-minute stretch in the first half, turning a 12-4 lead into 30-4. The Saints finished the half with a 9-4 run, including a buzzer-beating three by sophomore Bria Tiro (Saugus, Mass.) that made the score 34-13 Jumbos at intermission.

The closest the Saints would get in the second half was 20 points at 41-21 on a lay-up by O'Dwyer at the 16:35 mark. The Jumbo lead hit 30 (59-29) on a lay-up by junior Collier Clegg (Evanston, Ill.) at 8:25. The final margin of 38 points was the highest of the game.

Tufts had 18 assists on 28 baskets, led by five from Kornegay. They won the battle of the boards 50-35 as Kanner and classmate Hannah Foley (Acton, Mass.) both pulled down eight. Clegg finished the night with nine points and five rebounds. Tufts shot 42.4 percent (28/66) overall.

O'Dwyer added eight rebounds and two steals to her performance for Emmanuel. Senior Breanna Ockimey (Philadelphia, Pa.) had seven points and two assists.

Tufts returns to NESCAC action at home on Saturday with a 2:00 tip-off against Bates. Emmanuel plays another NESCAC opponent tomorrow night when they host Wesleyan University at 7 pm.

- Courtesy of Tufts University Sports Information