Tufts Knocks Off Catholic to Reach WPI Invitational Title Game
Tufts 83, Catholic 60
Worcester, MA --- Rachel Figaro (Windham, NH) and Julia Baily (Farmington, CT) each recorded double-doubles, leading the nationally-ranked Tufts Jumbos to an 83-60 win over Catholic in the opening round of the WPI Holiday Invitational Tuesday afternoon at Harrington Auditorium. Figaro registered a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Baily notched 15 points and a game-best 12 rebounds for the Jumbos (6-1). With the win, Tufts earns a spot in Wednesday's 3pm championship game against host WPI.
After falling behind by six points early, Tufts responded with an 18-3 run over a span of 5:51 to take a nine point lead midway through the first half that they would never relinquish. Tufts exhibited sound defense throughout the game, forcing 21 Catholic turnovers and turning them into 24 points.
Tufts, ranked 16th in the latest D3hoops.com poll, also dominated on the glass, pulling down 67 total rebounds, including 25 on the offensive end. The Jumbos had three players in double-digits in rebounding, and reinforced their advantage inside by outscoring the Cardinals 36-20 inside the paint. The Jumbos got a lift from their bench, as the Tufts reserves outscored their Catholic counterparts by a 41-22 margin.
Kim Moynihan (West Hartford, CT) was the third player in double figures for Tufts, pitching in with 12 points and seven rebounds. Katie Tausanovitch (Lyme, NH) added eight points and 10 rebounds.
Catholic (6-4) was led by Brianna Peterson (Garnerville, NY) who posted 15 points in a losing effort. Kate Robinson (Emmitsburg, MD) hauled in a team-high seven rebounds, to go along with her eight points, while Brielle Crites (Collingswood, NJ) and Kerri Confrey (Pearl River, NY) each chipped in with eight points for the Cardinals.
Catholic will take on Maine Machias in Wednesday's consolation game at 1pm, while Tufts looks for revenge from the 2006 championship contest, taking on host WPI at 3pm. The Crimson and Gray took the title two years ago with an entertaining 61-55 victory over the Jumbos. Earlier Tuesday, the Engineers defeated Maine-Machias by a 67-32 score.
Story written by Ray Cotrufo - WPI Athletics Department