The men's and women's basketball teams defeated previously unbeaten regional foes tonight, as the men overcame nationally-ranked Keene State and the women downed Salem State.
On the men's side, Tufts dethroned a No. 16 national power in Keene State, which came into the game at 5-0. The Owls got 20 points from their All-American junior forward Tyler Kathan and 19 more from senior forward Travon Little, but it wasn't enough to keep up with the Jumbos' run-and-gun offense. Two Jumbos dropped 20-plus points to fuel the 81-67 win.
Junior forward Jon Pierce had a monster night again, turning in a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds, also adding six blocks, three assists and two steals. Senior guard Jeremy Black scored 21 - obliterating his career high of 17 - on 3-of-5 three-point shooting and 10-of-11 from the charity stripe. Senior tri-captain Jake Weitzen added 11 points.
Meanwhile, the women's team gutted out a 70-55 win over the MASCAC Salem State Vikings last night at Cousens Gym. The Jumbos trailed by a point at the half before pulling away in the second to stay undefeated on the year at 7-0.
Freshman guard Colleen Hart led all Jumbo scorers with 16, also adding six assists, while junior center Katie Tausanovitch had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Senior co-captain Khalilah Ummah had 10 points and seven boards as well.
The Tufts women are one of just two undefeated teams remaining in the NESCAC, along with 6-0 Amherst.
See tomorrow's Daily for further coverage.
