Mills poured in 31 points, Johnson had 23 and Kelly added 22 as the Cardinals reached 100 points for the second time this season. They shot 55 percent for the game (33/60) while improving to 7-7 overall and 1-1 in the league. Tufts, which was led by junior forward Reggie Stovell (Washington, DC) with 21 points and eight rebounds, fell to 3-9 and 1-1.
The Jumbos scored the first basket of the game, a layup by sophomore Scott Armstrong (Rockville, MD), but that was the only lead they would hold. Wesleyan gradually built an advantage and a three-pointer by freshman guard Jimmy Shepherd (Charlevoix, MI) gave them a double-digit margin at 26-15 with 10:06 on the clock. The Jumbos answered with an Armstrong basket, but three free throws by Mills after he was fouled taking a three-pointer gave the visitors back their double-digit lead. That is where it would stay. Going into the break they led 51-35, led by 18 from Mills. Senior co-captain Deyvehn East (Greenfield, MA) had 12 points at the half for Tufts.
It seemed like Wesleyan might blow it open when they pushed the lead to 20 points, 62-42, on a lay-up by Johnson at 15:26 of the second half. The Jumbos contested the Cardinals tightly in the second half, but weren’t able to put much of a dent into the deficit. They pulled to within 13 a few times as the clock wound down under five minutes. Twice late they closed to within 10, on lay-ups by freshman David Shepherd (Grantham, NH) at 3:46 and at 3:20. The Cardinals were able to keep the Jumbos at bay, primarily at the free throw line where they were 16 for 25 in the second half.
Mills finished 13 for 14 at the line as Wesleyan ended up 29 for 41 overall (70.7 percent). Johnson added 10 rebounds to his game, helping the visitors gain a slim 43-40 edge on the boards. They posted a 24-13 advantage in rebounds while building their first-half lead.
The Jumbos put four players in double figures, with East’s 19, 18 from Shepherd and 15 by Armstrong supporting Stovell. The 88 points were the most scored this season by Tufts.
#