The women's basketball team (0-0, 1-0) hopes to avenge last year's 69-47 loss to Babson, a game in which the Jumbos were completely outplayed, tonight at 7 p.m. in Cousens Gym.
"We lost to them last year and we had a really tough game," junior Emily Goodman said. "We didn't play well at all."
The team played especially poorly on offense that game, as it connected on only 16-59 shots for a dismal 27.1 shooting percentage. Goodman led the team in scoring with a mere 13 points on 5-21 shooting, more than five points below her season average.
"We just weren't clicking at all," Goodman said. "There was no chemistry out there. Nothing was working. But I think we are more prepared this year. They put a lot of pressure on the pass to the wing and we got a little frazzled early and couldn't get out of it."
The inconsistency on offense during last year's game against Babson could also be attributed to injuries which forced a number of underclassman into prominent roles. "Last year, we were without the services of four players. Shira [Fishman] had gone down with a knee injury, Sarah Conlon and Meghan Gill were both out for the year with knee injuries, and Erin Harrington was out with mono," Goodman said. "It was kind of baptism by fire, throwing some freshmen into starting roles."
Another major problem that the Jumbos hope to rectify is rebounding. Against Babson last year, the Jumbos were outrebounded by a 50 to 44 margin. But more importantly than simply outrebounding Babson, Tufts is intent on preventing Babson from getting second chances following missed shots.
"The key is limiting them to one shot," Goodman said. "No second shots for them and just playing good defense and staying out of foul trouble."
"The keys are transition defense, which is going to be vital," coach Janice Savitz said. "Also, not allowing them too many second shots."
Tufts comes into the game against Babson with a lot more confidence than it had last year, as it ended the season at 14-9 and earned a trip to the first annual NESCAC Tournament. In the Jumbos' first game last Tuesday, they thrashed Johnson and Wales by an 84-66 margin. During the contest, all twelve of the Tufts players who saw action made at least one field goal. Once again, Goodman led the team with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
In addition, to using revenge as inspiration for tonight's game the Jumbos have other motivation, as well. "One of our goals is to win all non conference games," Goodman said. "And this is obviously one of them."
However, Babson, whose record is 3-0, is no pushover. It boasts a trio of stars who all average more than ten points a game in Meredith Eddy, Patricia Leahy and Ingrid Miller, who are at 15.7, 14.3 and 11.7 respectively. The Jumbos will have to contain these big time scorers if they hope to pull out a victory.
