SLOW START SINKS SAINTS VS. #9 TUFTS, 57-41

MEDFORD, Mass. - Junior Michela North scored a game-high 14 points, including the 1,000th of her Tufts career, as the ninth-ranked Jumbos kept rolling with a 57-41 women's basketball victory over Emmanuel College Tuesday night at Cousens Gym.

North became the 13th player in Tufts history to score 1,000 and added seven rebounds as Tufts won its 11th in a row. The Jumbos are now 16-2 overall.

Emmanuel saw a nine-game winning streak come to a halt, falling to 14-5. The Saints were led by 12 points from senior tri-captain Sarah Higgins.

Tufts shot the lights out in the first quarter and led 23-6 after 10 minutes. The Jumbos hit their first four three-pointers and were five for seven (.714) in the period overall from distance. Five different players connected.

Higgins would hit a three to open the second-quarter scoring for Emmanuel, pulling the visitors within 14 (23-9). However, the Jumbos would hold the Saints to three for 21 shooting overall (.143) in the first half and led 33-14 at the break. North had seven to lead Tufts at the break and the Jumbos had assists on all 11 of their first-half field goals. Higgins' five points topped the Saints at intermission.

Emmanuel got as close as 14 points three times in the third quarter, including 37-23 on a free throw by junior Jen Chalk at 3:29. North answered by recording her 1,00th career point, off an assist from senior Maura Folliard, on a lay-up at 3:15 of the third. The Jumbos would lead comfortably, 46-30, at the end of the third.

Tufts was up by as many as 25 points (55-30) following a lay-up by sophomore Melissa Baptista at 6:11 of the fourth quarter. Emmanuel scored the next 11 points, seven by Higgins, to close to 55-41 with 1:16 on the clock. However, it was too little too late and Tufts closed on its 35th straight victory at Cousens.

Dillon was the only other Jumbo to score in double digits with 10 points to go with four steals and three assists. Baptista was productive with seven points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. Lee totaled seven points and four assists as Tufts finished with 17 assists on 19 baskets.

Emmanuel won the battle of the boards 37-35 including a game-high nine by Lena Negri. Higgins added seven rebounds while Chalk had four to go with nine points.

Tonight's game ended a five-game homestand for Tufts and they hit the road for the next four starting at Bates on Saturday at 3 pm as they return to NESCAC play. Emmanuel will host Johnson & Wales in GNAC play Thursday at 7:30.

*Release courtesy of Tuft University Sports Information Dept.