MEDFORD, Mass. – Suffolk men's basketball faced 13-point half time deficit, surged back in the second, but it would not be enough to take down Tufts as the Jumbos got by the Rams, 90-82, Saturday afternoon at Cousens Gym.
THE BASICS
SCORE: Suffolk 82 | Tufts 90
RECORDS: Suffolk (3-5) | Tufts (8-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The lopsided distance at the half didn't happen until the final five minutes when Tufts outscored the Rams, 12-2, to send Suffolk into the locker room down, 42-29.
The blue-and-gold's comeback did not come initially as the Jumbos built a 17-point margin, 48-31, in the first two minutes.
Suffolk started to claw back after Cole LeVangie and Aidan Sullivan sunk back-to-back triples. Those hoops ignited 24-8 Rams run pulled the blue-and-gold within one point, 56-55, at the midway point.
Keenan Robertson poured in a trey to push the Rams in front, but that lead was short lived as the Jumbos responded with a 10-1 spurt to restore the advantage in their favor, 66-59, with 7:44 left on the clock.
For every comeback Suffolk tried to put together the rest of the way Tufts had an answered to keep the Rams hopes at bay.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- William Rowe registered 17 points and five caroms.
- LeVangie logged 13 points, four helpers and three rebounds.
- Robertson registered 13 points, six boards, two handouts and one steal.
- Sullivan supplied 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and one takeaway.
- John Gates had 12 points in a reserve effort on a 4-for-5 showing from 3-point range.
- Suffolk shot 52.7 percent (29-55) from the floor and 56.5 percent (13-23) from 3-point land. The Rams struggled at the line, going 52.4 percent (11-21).
NOTEWORTHY
- Gates matched a personal-best four treys made.
POST-GAME PIC
WHAT'S NEXT?
Suffolk will return to the hardwood in the Sunshine State where it will compete at the Naples Shootout. Over Dec. 29-30 the Rams will compete against Skidmore and Ohio Northern.
