Before it began its 28-day winter recess, the women's basketball team had climbed into the record books, carrying a 9-0 mark and the best start in program history into the break.
But after going 3-0 against quality opponents in early January, the squad has begun another climb, this one up the national rankings.
The Jumbos picked up non-conference wins over Fitchburg State, Emmanuel and Bates during the break to remain unbeaten on the season and move up to the No. 14 spot in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.
By faring so well against some of their toughest competition of the season, the Jumbos feel they have added some legitimacy to their hot start.
"Not to put down any of the [early-season] opponents, but the teams we faced over break are harder competition," senior co-captain Khalilah Ummah said. "To beat these three teams, it shows that we are as good as our record says we are. We are 12-0, and it's because we're a good basketball team."
Tufts trailed in games for a grand total of 1:23 the entire break, blitzing past its opponents with strong defensive efforts that held all three opponents under 35 percent shooting. In Saturday's win over Bates, the Bobcats were limited to just 19 first-half points and tied a season low by shooting 32.8 percent from the floor.
After jumping out to a 20-point first-half lead, the Jumbos held on for a 66-57 win against its toughest opponent of the season.
Three days earlier, Tufts hosted an Emmanuel team that had beaten national powerhouse Bowdoin on the road earlier this season. But the Saints gave the Jumbos little trouble, as Tufts led by as many as 29 before cruising to a 78-61 victory, its first over Emmanuel since 2004.
Ummah exploded for 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the first half before finishing her second consecutive double-double. The Litchfield, Maine native reached double digits in rebounds in every game over the break, averaging 13 boards over the three contests.
Ummah and sophomore forward Julia Baily helped the Jumbos dominate inside, as Tufts outrebounded Emmanuel 66-37 and outscored the Saints in the paint, 50-32. Despite playing only 18 minutes, Baily pulled down 18 rebounds, the most by any Jumbo since Feb. 2000. She also added 10 points for her first career double-double.
The Jumbos opened their winter break slate on Jan. 5 by picking up a 62-47 road victory over Fitchburg State, a team that came into the season as the favorite to win the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Junior guard Kim Moynihan, who missed the last two games before the recess with an orbital fracture, made her return to the lineup and posted a season-high 14 points in just 18 minutes.
Tufts will put its unbeaten mark on the line this Friday, when it opens its NESCAC schedule against 13-0 Amherst.
