TUFTS WOMEN EDGE BRANDEIS DOWN THE STRETCH

COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL SCORE
Tufts 53 Brandeis 47

Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2001
At Medford

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MEDFORD – A driving lay-up by senior co-captain Shira Fishman (Silver Spring, MD) with 3:19 left in regulation gave host Tufts the lead for good as the Jumbos went on to post a 53-47 victory over Brandeis University in an exciting women's basketball game between Greater Boston rivals on Tuesday night.

After a poorly played first half by both teams, Brandeis took a 28-21 lead into the break. They extended the lead to seven, 38-31, on a three-pointer by junior guard Jen Curran (Danbury, CT) at 11:51 of the second half. Tufts chipped away at the lead and pulled within one, 42-41, on a three by freshman guard Maritsa Christoudias (Saddle River, NJ) at 9:22.

The teams went back-and-forth for the next four minutes until the Jumbos tied the score at 46-46 on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Erin Harrington (Fall River, MA) at 5:33. After a Brandeis turnover, Fishman's basket – her only hoop of the game – gave Tufts its first lead of the half. A long jumper by Jumbo sophomore guard Hillary Dunn (Medfield, MA) pushed the Tufts margin to 50-46 at 2:05. Fouls filled the last minute, with both teams adding free throws to the final tally.

The exciting second half was a change of pace after a sloppy first half, during which the teams combined for 21 turnovers and shot 14 for 51 from the floor (27.5 percent).

Tufts improved to 8-2 overall and 4-0 at home this season. Harrington led the Jumbos with 12 points, 10 in the second half. Brandeis lost its seventh straight, falling to 3-9 overall. Curran had nine at the half for Brandeis and led the Judges with 16 points overall. The Jumbos posted a 46-36 advantage in rebounds.

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