NO. 1 TUFTS BLOWS PAST WOMEN'S HOOPS 77-46

MEDFORD, Mass. – The Tufts University women's basketball team won their second game in a row by 30+ points tonight by defeating Emmanuel College, 77-46. Four players scored in double figures for the Jumbos (9-0) as they never trailed the Saints (4-5) to snap EC's three game-winning streak. In the most recent NCAA national poll, the Jumbos held firm in the No. 1 spot and were the second ranked team the Saints faced this season.

Melissa Baptista registered a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. She also had four blocks on the night. Jac Knapp and Jennie Mucciarone both had 12 points each, while Erica DeCandido had 11. Baptista and Mucciarone did all their damage in only 17 minutes of work.

Tufts opened the game with a terrific first quarter where they outscored Emmanuel, 26-2. They started the quarter on a 14-0 run with buckets by DeCandido, Knapp, Baptista, and Mucciarone. Ryan Maynard scored the only points for the Saints in the quarter off a layup about halfway through the frame.

The second quarter was a bit more evenly contested. The Jumbos held the advantage, but only outscored the Saints by two. Tufts shot 50% from the floor in the first half, including going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.

The second half began similarly to the first with the Jumbos winning the third quarter, 22-7. Mucciarone hit a three to begin the third quarter and Katie Martensen added a three of her own to wrap it up.

Emmanuel actually outscored Tufts in the final quarter, 23-12, off of some good full-court pressure which forced the Jumbos into a few turnovers. Tufts did eventually adjust and were able to calm the game down to finish off their ninth win of the season.

There were 12 different Jumbos who scored in tonight's contest. Martensen had nine to go along with two rebounds, Emily Briggs scored six, and Cailin Harrington had four. Yuleska Ramirez-Tejeda (South Boston, Mass.) paced the Saints with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Tufts outrebounded their competition, 45-36, and held the edge in assists, 18-9, and steals, 19-9.

The Jumbos next game is on Dec. 29 when they travel to Montclair State to take on Albright in the Gelston/Paskert Holiday Tournament. They don't play another game at home until Jan. 12. Emmanuel is back in action on Dec. 30 when they head to California and play Wisconsin River Falls. 

*Release courtesy of Tufts University Athletic Communications