Tufts defeats Endicott in EC Tip Off Invitational Finale
Nov. 18, 2006
BEVERLY, MA - Tufts University built an eight point first half lead and the Gulls could never recover, as the Jumbos cruised to a 62-42 victory in the final day of the EC Tip Off Invitational in Beverly, MA on Saturday.
Tufts was led by junior forward Khalilah Ummah (Litchfield, ME/Waynflete), as she dropped 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the Jumbos win.
Both teams started slow on the afternoon, with the first half consisting of tough shooting from both ends of the court. Endicott only shot 28.6 percent (6-21) in the opening frame, while Tufts managed to sink just ten of their first 26 attempts (38.5%).
The real story on the afternoon was Tufts ability to convert second chance opportunities into successful field goals. The Jumbos cleaned the glass all game, out rebounding Endicott, 44-22 while grabbing 15 offensive rebounds and outscoring the Gulls 18-5 in second chance points. Senior forward Laura Jasinski (Leverett, MA/Amherst) powered Tufts upfront, as she had a team-high eight rebounds on the day.
The Jumbos hit their stride in the second half, outscoring Endicott 35-23 in the final 20 minutes. The Gulls struggled taking care of the ball for most of the game, as they committed 26 turnovers on the afternoon.
Endicott's offense was led by sophomore Nicole Young (Rockland, MA/Cardinal Spellman), as she scored nine points and contributed four rebounds for the Gulls. Senior Paris Sanders (Needham, MA/Minuteman Technical) also had a strong game, as she chipped in for eight points for the home team.
Endicott returns to action on Sunday, November 26, as they travel to Brandeis for a 1:00pm game. Tufts returns to the hardwood on Tuesday, as they head to Springfield, MA to face the Golden Bears of Western New England.
The early game slated Suffolk University (1-0) vs. Wellesley College (0-1). Suffolk, who was coming off an impressive 59-57 win over Tufts just a day earlier, kept the ball rolling as they charged their way to a decisive, 78-45 victory over the Blue Pride.
The Rams offense was able to convert 21 Wellesley turnovers into 16 points. Suffolk was led by a pair of senior forward's, Sarah Gregory (Fall River, MA/Durfee) and Jenn Fogg (Stonington, CT/Stonington), who both scored 11 points in the win.
Suffolk relied on an entire team effort, as the Rams bench outscored the Wellesley reserves, 46-18. Suffolk also dominated in the paint, holding a 36-14 advantage over the Blue Pride.
Despite the loss, Wellesley sophomore forward Jessica Duff (Milton Abingdon, UK/Saline High) had a monster game for the Blue Pride, as she scored 12 points and gobbled up 14 rebounds.
Next up for the Rams is a trip to Colby Sawyer College on Tuesday night. The Blue Pride look to rebound on Tuesday as they host Brandeis at 5:30pm.