MBB Falls at No. 9 Tufts – Connecticut College

MEDFORD, Mass. – The Connecticut College men’s basketball team fell by a 71-42 final against No. 9 Tufts University on Saturday afternoon in a NESCAC showdown at Cousens Gym.

Scott Gyimesi netted a game-high 25 points to go with 10 rebounds as the Jumbos improved to 17-2 overall and remained unbeaten in league action (5-0 NESCAC). Joshua Bernstein also finished with a double-double of 16 points and a game-high 11 boards as Tufts shot 50 percent from the floor in the contest. Conn was led by Elias Espinosa (Leonia, N.J.) and Matt Leaver (Norwell, Mass.) with seven points apiece. 

After Espinosa scored on Conn’s opening possession of the game, Tufts ripped off a 12-0 run that included eight points from Gyimesi. Later, Bernstein supplied back-to-back dunks as the Jumbos extended the margin to 18-14 by the midway point of the stanza.

Conn remained within striking distance until Tufts pulled away in the final two minutes of the half. Gyimesi scored five points in a 10-2 stretch as the hosts built the lead to 37-17 by the break. 

Gyimesi continued with the hot hand in the second half, fueling a 16-4 start with 10 points to bump the margin to 53-21. He finished with 12 points in the half and exited with 11:22 to play, wrapping up his night with 25 points on 12-for-18 shooting.

The Jumbos finished with a big advantage in the post, doubling up the Camels on the glass (46-23) and outscoring them 52-16 in the paint. More than a third of Tufts’ rebounds came on the offensive end. 

Conn (11-8 overall, 3-2 NESCAC) will next play at Trinity College on Friday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m.