MEDFORD, Mass. – The Trinity College Women's Basketball team fell to host Tufts University, 68-59, in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) battle at Cousens Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. The Bantams move to 16-5 overall and 5-2 in conference, while the Jumbos sit at 5-2 in the NESCAC and 14-6 on the season.
 
Sophomore Olivia Vick led the Bantams offense with a team-high 19 points, connecting on four three-pointers, and junior Melissa Whitmore tallied 12 points and four rebounds. Sophomore Madi Forman grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, while juniors Samantha Slofkiss and Theresa Twardosky chipped in eight points apiece.
 
Tufts had three scorers reach double digit point totals, paced by a game-high 20 points, three rebounds and two assists from Stella Galanes. Monet Witherspoon registered 17 points off the bench, while Sofia Gonzales notched 14 points with a team-high seven rebounds.
 
The first quarter of action was tight as the sides traded the lead six times with the Jumbos taking a 13-10 lead into the second quarter. Tufts kicked off the second quarter with a 9-3 run over the opening three minutes, but five points from Whitmore trimmed the deficit to 22-20 at the 5:07 mark. Tufts closed the period on a 10-3 run to take a 32-23 lead into halftime.
 
Tufts maintained their advantage behind five points from Sofia Gonzalez to escort the lead to 44-31 midway through the third quarter. A layup from Vick whittled the gap down to 45-36, but six points from Galanes gave the Jumbos a 51-39 lead entering the fourth.
 
The Bantams battled back with a 10-2 run to begin the fourth quarter, closing the hole to 53-49 with 5:11 to play. Witherspoon erupted for eight straight points to rebuild a 61-51 lead for Tufts with 1:26 on the clock. Vick buried a pair of late triples but it wasn't enough as the Bantams fell to the Jumbos, 68-59.
 
The Jumbos edged the Bantams in the rebounding column, 37-33, while Trinity controlled the paint, 22-16, and bench points, 22-21. The Bantams shot 19-of-61 (31.1%) from the field, 7-of-22 (31.8%) from three-point range and 14-of-19 (73.7%) from the foul line. Tufts converted 21-of-48 (43.8%) from the floor, including 8-of-19 (42.1%) from three-point and 18-of-26 (69.2%) from the charity stripe.
 
The Bantams will be back in action when they host Bates College (11-8, 1-4 NESCAC) on Friday, February 7^th at 7:00 p.m.