The women's basketball team defeated the host Regis Pride 65−53 on Saturday afternoon to take first place in the four−team Regis College Invitational.
Riding the momentum of a four−game win streak and a 31−point rout of St. Joseph's in the semifinals, the Jumbos outscored the Pride by 17 points in the second half and improved to 5−2 on the season.
"We were going through the motions a little bit [in the first half]," freshman guard Hannah Foley said. "The energy wasn't really there and they wanted it more than we did. We had to fix our help defense and start making more shots."
Tufts trailed 29−24 heading into the locker room at halftime. After the teams traded baskets for much of the second half, the Jumbos went on a 12−2 run in under three minutes to grab a 52−43 lead with 4:49 left to play. They held onto the lead by hitting their free throws down the stretch.
"We took advantage of their mistakes," senior guard Tiffany Kornegay said. "We also did a good job of stopping them on defense. Coach [Carla Berube] said at halftime to take it one play at a time, to focus on scoring then playing defense."
Kornegay — who has consistently been the team's sparkplug on offense — led the charge for Tufts with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Foley also had a big game with 13 points, making three out of six three−pointers and grabbing five rebounds. Freshman center Hayley Kanner provided a spark off the bench, providing 10 points and six boards.
"I've just been focusing on my strengths, which are to create for my teammates and to be a threat on defense," Kornegay said. "Playing in transition is also a big part of my game. Pushing the ball is key for me."
Rebounding and team defense also played major roles in the Jumbos' victory on Saturday. Despite their smallish lineup, the Jumbos out−rebounded the Pride 51−37, including a 23−11 advantage on the offensive glass. These offensive rebounds were crucial, leading to 29 second−chance points. Both teams shot around 30 percent from the field, but the Jumbos made more of their opportunities.
"We focused on defense and creating shots from there. When shots weren't falling we made sure to crash the boards hard," Kornegay said.
Another key to the Jumbos' championship run was the strong play of the team's underclassmen. The continued success of Foley, Kanner and freshman point guard Kelsey Morehead has been pivotal as they continue to log major minutes down the stretch of games. In addition, the Jumbos showcased their depth on Saturday, as the bench contributed 26 points — 23 of which came from Foley and Kanner.
"The bench was very active throughout the game," Foley said. "We are a deep team this year and we showed that. The bench came in and did their part."
"As a team, starters down to everyone on the bench, we want to have energy," Kornegay added. "When people come in off the bench we want them to be that spark player … that adrenaline punch. The freshmen have been that, both offensively and defensively."
Tufts reached the finals by dominating St. Joseph's College on Friday in the tournament's opening round. Unlike the finals, the Jumbos were in control from the tip−off to the final buzzer, scoring the first nine points and establishing a 17−4 lead.
The Monks briefly enjoyed a burst of momentum to pull within seven, but the Jumbos responded with a 25−6 run to take a 42−18 lead into halftime.
Senior co−captain Kate Barnosky scored 16 first−half points, and Tufts ultimately cruised to a 76−45 victory. Barnosky finished with 19 points on 7−of−9 shooting, Foley added 10 points off the bench, and Kornegay had eight points, eight boards and five assists. The Monks didn't have any players reach double figures in points.
Barnosky was named tournament MVP for her performance in the two games, while Foley and Kornegay also made the All−Tourney squad.
The Jumbos will take on Emerson College in Cousens Gym on Tuesday evening, before hosting Bridgewater State on Saturday at 4 p.m., their last two games before Winter Break.
