Tufts (16-9), the second seed, advances to play third-seed Bates College in the tournament semi-finals at Amherst College next Saturday (Feb. 26) at 4:00. Colby, the #7 seed, finishes its season with a 14-8 record.
A hotly contested game in front of 800 fans at Cousen Gym saw host Tufts leading 39-36 at the half. The Jumbos were able to take charge and maintain their lead in the second half thanks in great part to free throw shooting. Tufts connected on 30 of 34 free throw attempts (88.2 percent) in the second half when 23 fouls were whistled against the Mules. Martin was 7 for 7 from the line in the second half.
After Tufts held a small lead early in the first half, Colby mounted a 9-2 run that gave them a 22-15 advantage on a free throw by senior captain Pat McGowan (North Attleboro, MA) with 11:33 on the clock. He had six points during the spurt. Tufts came back to tie the score at 26-26 on a lay-up by Martin at 6:56. Another lay-up by Martin and a jumper by senior co-captain Drew Kaklamanos (Jupiter, FL) in the final minute of the half gave the Jumbos their three-point lead.
Tufts quickly pushed the margin to 10 points (48-38) early in the second half with a 9-2 run capped by a three-pointer from sophomore guard David Shepherd (Grantham, NH) at 17:50. The Jumbos were able to keep the Mules at an arm’s length from that point. Colby was within five points, 56-51, following two free throws by junior Michael Westbrooks (Dublin, Ireland) at 12:07. The Jumbos ripped off an 8-2 spurt highlighted by a three-pointer from freshman Jake Weitzen (New York, NY) that gave them a 64-53 lead with 10:24 to play. A Westbrooks lay-up pulled Colby within nine (66-57) at 8:26, but five straight points by Martin put Tufts up 71-57 and they would lead by double digits the rest of the way.
Fifty-five fouls in total were called in the game, with four Colby starters fouling out. The Mules also shot their freebies well, netting 19 of 21 overall for a 90.5 percentage. Tufts earned a huge 57-36 advantage in rebounds, with senior tri-captain Reggie Stovell (Washington, DC) adding nine to the cause.
Five Jumbos scored in double figures, with sophomore Brian Kumf (Milford, MA) totaling 18 including an 8 for 8 day at the line. Shepherd, NESCAC’s assists leader, added 11 helpers.
McGowan led Colby with 28 points in the last game of his collegiate career. Sophomore Nick Farrell (Kennebunk, ME), the only Colby starter who did not foul out, finished with 20 points.
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Newspaper Box Score Colby Mules vs Tufts Jumbos 2/19/05 3:00 pm at Medford, MA At Medford, MA TUFTS JUMBOS 99, COLBY MULES 88 COLBY MULES (14-8) Pat McGowan 10-19 5-6 28; Nick Farrell 6-20 6-7 20; Mike Rutherford 5-9 0-0 11; Drew Cohen 3-5 4-4 10; Michael Westbrooks 3-11 2-2 9; Nate Dick 1-5 2-2 5; Jared Cushman 1-4 0-0 3; Andrew Jenkins 1-5 0-0 2; Jamie Snyder-Fair 0-1 0-0 0; Tom Nale 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 30-81 19-21 88. TUFTS JUMBOS (16-9) Dan Martin 8-10 10-11 26; Brian Kumf 5-9 8-8 18; Reggie Stovell 4-14 5-6 13; Jake Weitzen 5-8 1-3 12; Drew Kaklamanos 3-9 5-6 12; Brian Fitzgerald 2-3 2-2 6; David Shepherd 1-8 3-4 6; Jesse Belodoff 1-2 4-4 6; Ryan O'Keefe 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 29-65 38-44 99. Colby Mules................... 36 52 - 88 Tufts Jumbos.................. 39 60 - 99 3-point goals-Colby Mules 9-31 (Pat McGowan 3-7; Nick Farrell 2-9; Michael Westbrooks 1-3; Mike Rutherford 1-4; Nate Dick 1-4; Jared Cushman 1-2; Andrew Jenkins 0-2), Tufts Jumbos 3-12 (Drew Kaklamanos 1-3; Jake Weitzen 1-2; David Shepherd 1-3; Ryan O'Keefe 0-2; Reggie Stovell 0-1; Brian Kumf 0-1). Fouled out--Colby Mules-Pat McGowan; Drew Cohen; Andrew Jenkins; Mike Rutherford; Michael Westbrooks, Tufts Jumbos-None. Rebounds-Colby Mules 36 (Drew Cohen 7), Tufts Jumbos 57 (Dan Martin 15). Assists-Colby Mules 15 (Mike Rutherford 3; Nick Farrell 3), Tufts Jumbos 15 (David Shepherd 11). Total fouls-Colby Mules 33, Tufts Jumbos 22. A-800