BRUNSWICK, Maine – The top-ranked Tufts University women's basketball team shot 59% from the field to hold off second-ranked Bowdoin, 97-88, in a battle of Division III's top teams on Friday at Morrell Gymnasium

Before a capacity crowd of 1,400 fans, the Jumbos remained unbeaten at 19-0 (5-0 NESCAC) and snap Bowdoin's 47-game regular season winning streak. The Polar Bears fall to 19-1 (5-1 NESCAC) with their first loss of the year.

Game Highlights

• The teams traded blows throughout the contest, but it was Bowdoin who came out firing, riding a pair of Moira Train three-pointers to take an early 17-10 edge in the opening five minutes.
• Tufts gained its footing and outscored Bowdoin 14-8 over the final five minutes of the period, as Emily Briggs scored nine points to bring the Jumbos within one, 25-24, after one quarter.
• Tufts' unconscious shooting continued into the second quarter, as the Jumbos hit on 64% of their shots. Erica DeCandido gave the visitors the lead with a jumper right out of the gate and the teams traded the lead five times in the first four minutes of the period.
• Tied at 43-43 with two minutes left before the break, Tufts rolled off an 8-2 surge, capped by another jumper by Briggs to take a 51-45 lead. Dorian Cohen's layup for Bowdoin before the buzzer cut the lead to 51-47 at the break.
• The Jumbos looked to take command in the third quarter, extending their lead to nine points, 64-55, on a Molly Ryan three-pointer. But the Polar Bears answered the bell again, replying with an 11-3 surge, cutting the lead to 67-66 on a trifecta from Ali Mead late in the period.
• Dorian Cohen briefly gave Bowdoin the lead with a spinning layup with 2:26 left in the third, 70-69, but Tufts scored the final four points of the period to take a 73-70 edge into the fourth.
• Despite the Jumbos pushing the lead to seven points early in the final quarter, Bowdoin didn't go away, coming as close as 77-75 on a Maddie Hasson three-point play with five minutes to go.
• Tufts would not be denied, however, as Emily Briggs hit a big three-pointer to push the visitors' lead to seven, 87-80, with 2:51 to go. Cailin Harrington scored eight points down the stretch to help seal the win for the Jumbos.

By The Numbers

• Both teams were absolutely outstanding shooting on Friday as Tufts went for 59% from the field with a 12-24 effort from three-point range and 13-13 from the free throw line.
• Bowdoin connected on 58.9% from the field, including 9-20 from three-point range.
• Maddie Hasson led all players with 29 points to go with eight rebounds in a stellar effort for the Polar Bears. Moira Train scored 17, including five three-pointers, while Samantha Roy (12 points, seven assists) and Dorian Cohen (12 points) also reached double digits.
• Tufts got a 23-point effort from Emily Briggs, who battled foul trouble all night while Cailin Harrington finished with 20 for the Jumbos. Erica DeCandido and Molly Ryan had 19 points apiece for Tufts.
• The difference in the game proved to be turnovers, as Bowdoin committed 13 turnovers to eight for Tufts and the Jumbos took advantage, holding a 20-6 advantage in points off turnovers.

Up Next

• Bowdoin will host Bates at 3:00 p.m. Saturday on Senior Day in Morrell Gymnasium.
• Tufts will head to Waterville to play at Colby at 3:00 p.m. Saturday.