Ephs lose first conference game at Tufts, 83-62
Chessie Jackson '11
MEDFORD, MA. – It is always tough to face a nationally ranked opponent, but it is even tougher to do so when your team is sporting a 5-9 record and riding a three-game losing streak. For the Williams women’s basketball team (5-10, 0-1), conditions got even more difficult versus #12 Tufts (10-1, 1-0) as starters Jill Greenberg and Chessie Jackson were forced to sit due to a hamstring injury and the flu, respectively.
A third starter, Lisa Jaris, left the game just two minutes into the opening whistle due to injury as well. Down three starters, the Ephs mounted a solid effort, but still lost their first conference game of the season, 83-62.
“Tufts is one of the top team in the conference,” said Williams head coach Pat Manning. “I was happy with our effort and intensity even though the score does not reflect that. It was definitely our best effort of the last two weeks.”
Down 14-3 just five minutes into play, the Ephs cut the lead to seven before the Jumbos mounted a ten point lead to take charge of the game at 24-7. Colleen Hart led Tufts with four of five shooting from behind the arc. Two of those four shots came at the closing of the half to build a solid 16-point advantage at the break.
Tufts continued their dominance, leading by as many as 25 with the score at 79-54 at 4:50 on the clock and finishing the game with a 51.5 shooting percentage from the floor.
Jess Harris paced the Ephs with 16 points, and an impressive 15 rebounds for a double-double on the night. Taylor Shea joined Harris for a double-double, notching 11 points and 12 boards. Senior Mika Peterman added 14 pints.
Tufts had four starters in double figures. Julia Bailey scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Hart scored a team-high 16 points and 9 assists. Katie Tausanovitch and Casey Sullivan added 10 and 12 points respectively.
Williams will look to bounce back tomorrow against Bates at 3:00 p.m.
