#4 Jumbos Tops Green & Gold, 88-48

MEDFORD, Mass. - Tufts University defeated previously unbeaten Fitchburg State University, 88-48, in a non-conference women's basketball contest on Saturday afternoon.

The Jumbos - who were ranked fourth in the last d3hoops.com national rankings - shot 64% from the field in the first half including four of eight three-point shots while building a 45-20 lead at the break. Tufts' Hayley Kanner was a perfect 7-7 from the floor for 14 points, and Emma Roberson added 10 points as the Jumbos never trailed.

Megan Wodzinski did what she could to keep the Falcons in the game, dropping in a dozen points in the opening stanza. Fitchburg was held to less than 31% shooting by the Jumbo defense, and Tufts also forced 11 Falcon turnovers.

The second half started similarly to the first as the Jumbos ran off the first 12 points of the period on eight consecutive points by Hanna Foley, a layup by Kelsey Morehead, and a pair of free throws by Kanner. Laura Cote broke up the run with a three-point shot for the Falcons, but Foley answered with a pair of threes to run the lead to 40.

Another jumper by Cote was followed by a jump shot by Kanner. It was the first unassisted hoop of the game for the Jumbos who ran off a remarkable 23 consecutive assists, finishing with 27 assists on 33 baskets.

Wodzinski equaled her first half point production in the second half and finished with 24 points. Cote added nine for the Falcons.

Foley led Tufts in scoring with 21 points, including five of six trifectas. Kanner finished with 18 points, and Melissa Baptista had eight points, a dozen rebounds, four blocks and four steals.

Tufts will put its unbeaten mark on the line on Tuesday when the Jumbos travel to Bridgewater State, while the Falcons will take the short trip down I95 to play at WPI. Tipoff for both games is 7:00PM.

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