The visiting Cougars led 39-34 at the half, but the Jumbos shot 61.5 percent (16/26) in the second half to overcome Clark. Sophomore forward Dan Martin (Sandwich, MA) had 18 points and seven rebounds for Tufts, which finished its regular season 8-16 overall but 7-4 at home. Clark, which lost for the third time in four games and dropped to 13-10 overall, was led by 18 points and six rebounds from sophomore center Tim Dutille (Lebanon, NH).
The men’s Cousens finale was a good one start to finish. The Cougars closed the first half with a 7-2 run to lead by five at the break. Clark senior tri-captain Dave McNamara (Worcester, MA) had 11 points at halftime to lead all scorers. Junior forward Reggie Stovell (Washington, DC) had nine for the Jumbos.
Clark kept its lead for seven-plus minutes in the second half, but the Jumbos surged to a 53-52 advantage with a 9-2 run capped by a Stovell jumper at 12:06. The teams waged wicked back-and-forth play from that point. The Jumbos led by five, 63-58, on a lay-up by Martin at 6:59. The Cougars led by five, 70-55, after two free throws by McNamara at 3:24. When Clark senior point guard Mark Stukowski (Rutland, MA) hit two free throws at 1:38, the game was tied for the tenth time at 72-72.
Down the stretch, it was East who lifted the Jumbos in the clutch. Twelve of his 17 points came in the second half, including five in the final 80 seconds. His jumper at 1:19 put Tufts in front for good at 74-72. He added three free throws in the final minute, and Stovell canned a big three-pointer. Clark, meanwhile, missed its final four shots.
The Jumbos missed just 21 shots in the game, going 30 for 51 from the floor for a 58.8 final shooting percentage. Stovell added 17 points, connecting on 7 of 11 attempts including two threes. All nine Jumbos who played recorded assists, led by three from the other senior co-captain playing in his final game – point guard Eric Mack (Fall River, MA).
Clark had just 10 turnovers, but shot only 36.9 percent (24/65). McNamara finished with 16 points and four steals, while senior Brent Kenneway (Sturbridge, MA) had 12 points, making all four of his shots.
Tufts now enters the NESCAC Tournament, playing at Trinity in the first round on Saturday.
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