Bates 64, Tufts 56
at Medford, Mass.

BATES HOLDS OFF TUFTS IN NESCAC OPENER, 64-56

(Taken from a Tufts University press release)

MEDFORD, Mass. – Rookie forward Lauren Dubois (Beverly, Msas.) scored 18 points and senior co-captain Kate McLaughlin (Laconia, N.H.) added 16 as the visiting Bates College Bobcats posted a 64-56 win over the Tufts University Jumbos in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) women's basketball opener for both schools.

Dubois, who saw more playing time due to an injury to second-leading scorer Carla Flaherty (Gorham, Maine), scored 14 points in the first half as Bates built a 29-26 lead they would not relinquish. Tufts managed to close to within two points, 50-48, on a 12-footer by sophomore guard Erin Harrington (Fall River, Mass.) with 5:32 remaining in the second half. Bates responded, scoring 10 of the next 12 points including four by McLaughlin to lead 60-50 with 45 seconds left. The Jumbos hit two three-pointers in the final 30 seconds, but to no avail.

Tufts sophomore Emily Goodman (Briarcliff, N.Y.) scored the team's first 10 points and helped the Jumbos mount a 23-14 lead 13 minutes into the game. The Bobcats then initiated an 11-0 run over the next five minutes to lead 25-23 at 2:34. Dubois had seven points during the stretch. Her put-back with 1:20 until halftime gave Bates the lead for good, 27-25.

The victory was the fifth straight overall for Bates (9-4, 1-0 NESCAC) and sixth straight in the series. Tufts (8-4, 0-1 NESCAC) lost its second in a row for the first time this season. The Jumbos got 21 points and 13 rebounds from Goodman.

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