01/28/2009
Tufts Topples Men's Basketball, 76-59

WORCESTER, MASS. 01/28/09 - Tufts University used a balanced attack and snapped a five-game losing skid with a 76-59 victory over Clark University in non-conference men's basketball action at the Kneller Athletic Center on Wednesday night.

Tufts raised its record to 8-10 overall, while Clark evened its mark at 9-9.

Four players scored in double-figures for the Jumbos. Junior Jon Pierce (Belmont, Mass.) paced Tufts with a game-high 17 points and team-best nine rebounds. Junior Dave Beyel (Ocean City, N.J.) had 14 points, while senior Aaron Gallant (Bangor, Me.) and junior Dan Cook (Dover, Mass.) finished with identical point and rebound totals of 12 and five, respectively.

Clark, which had big contributions from its freshman, were led by Brian Vayda (Sturbridge, Mass.) with 16 points and 13 boards, and Jonathan Phillips (Shrewsbury, Mass.) with 11 points. Senior Peter Normandin (Westminster, Mass.) added 10 points.

Clark started strong on both ends of the court, forcing three turnovers and scoring the first 10 points in the opening minutes of the game. The Cougars' lead would be short-lived, as the visitors used a 13-2 burst to take its first advantage (13-12) of the night.

The two teams traded baskets over the next 2:02, with Clark's Phillips tying it up (17-17) at the 9:17 mark. It was all Tufts from that point on. The Jumbos went on a 20-4 run, featuring a string of five three-pointers over a 5:35 span, to take a 37-21 lead at the half. Beyel and Cook each drained a pair of three's during the run.

Tufts, which out-rebounded Clark 25-19 in the half, shot 46.9% from the floor and 46.2% from three-point range. Clark shot for 27%, while connecting on just 1-of-15 from beyond the arc.

Clark never found its rhythm in the second half, as Tufts extended its lead by as many as 28 points (59-31) with 10:22 remaining and cruised to the victory.

Tufts held a 51-37 margin on the boards for the game.

Clark will return to NEWMAC play when it hosts Babson College on Saturday (1 p.m.). Tufts will play at NESCAC foe Wesleyan University on Friday (7 p.m.).