Tufts started the contest with a 6-2 lead, but Wheaton senior Mike Stanton (Lynnfield, MA/Brewster Academy) hit a three-pointer to make the score a one-point game with 17:01 to play. The contest stayed close for the first eight minutes of play, with the third tie of the game taking place with 12:49 to go. Tufts' Ryan O'Keefe (Everett, MA/Everett) hit a three for a 15-12 edge, but Wheaton used a 13-0 run to capture a 25-15 advantage midway through the stanza.
The Jumbos managed to get as close as five with 8:55 remaining, but the hosts eventually sprinted on a 13-2 run to capture the biggest lead of the half at 39-23 with 4:18 remaining. Junior James Greenslit (Framingham, MA/Rivers School) knocked down two of his three first-half three-pointers during that spurt. With four seconds to play, senior Josean Vega (Pawtucket, RI/St. Raphael's) converted a conventional three-point play to give the Lyons a 44-31 advantage at the intermission. Stanton finished the half with 15 points and a trio of three-point buckets, while Greenslit and Vega added nine points each. Tufts sophomore Brian Kumf (Milford, MA/Milford) led the way with 10 points.
The Jumbos started the second half strong, outscoring Wheaton, 15-6 in the first five minutes to climb all the way back to within four points. The Lyons were able to withstand Tufts' offensive pressure, however, extending their lead to seven on yet another Stanton trey with 13:26 left. Leading 59-54 with 12:26 on the clock, Wheaton went on a 13-4 spurt to regain its double-digit advantage at 72-58 with just over eight minutes to play. The Jumbos refused to quit and got as close as six on two occasions, with the latter coming with 1:27 to go, but the Lyons made six critical free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Wheaton posted five players in double-figure scoring, led by Stanton's season-high tying 25 points (10-17 FG, 4-8 3-pt FG) and six rebounds. Stanton increased his career three-pointers to 175, which stands as the third-highest total in program history. Sophomore Brian Zukowski (Dracut, MA/Dracut) added 13 points (5-10 FG) and six rebounds, while junior Sean Kelly (Providence, RI/Wheeler School) finished with 11 points and seven assists. Kelly's season assist total of 101 ranks as the fourth-highest total in Wheaton history. Kelly also had two steals, giving him 130 for his career, which is fifth best in the school's annals. Greenslit and Vega also contributed 11 points apiece.
Tufts finished with four players reaching double-figure scoring, as senior Reggie Stovell (Washington, DC/Hotchkiss) led the Jumbos with 19 points (8-16 FG) and nine rebounds. Kumf finished with 16 points (8-14 FG) and 10 rebounds, while junior Dan Martin (Sandwich, MA/Phillips Andover) added 12 points (6-10 FG). Freshman Jake Weitzen (New York, NY/Bronx HS of Science) accounted for 10 points, while sophomore David Shepherd (Grantham, NH/Proctor) dished out a game-best nine assists.
Wheaton will take to the court again on Thursday, January 20, when the Lyons host Fitchburg State College in a non-conference game in Emerson Gymnasium. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score Tufts University vs Wheaton College 1/18/05 7:00 p.m. at Emerson Gymnasium, Norton, Mass. At Emerson Gymnasium, Norton, Mass. WHEATON COLLEGE 91, TUFTS UNIVERSITY 79 TUFTS UNIVERSITY (8-6) Reggie Stovell 8-16 2-4 19; Brian Kumf 8-14 0-3 16; Dan Martin 6-10 0-0 12; Jake Weitzen 4-6 1-2 10; Drew Kaklamanos 3-7 0-1 7; Ryan O'Keefe 2-9 0-0 5; Jason Grauer 2-3 1-1 5; David Shepherd 2-9 1-2 5; Brian Fitzgerald 0-2 0-0 0; Jesse Belodoff 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-76 5-13 79. WHEATON COLLEGE (12-2) Mike Stanton 10-17 1-3 25; Brian Zukowski 5-10 2-3 13; Sean Kelly 4-9 3-5 11; James Greenslit 4-5 0-0 11; Josean Vega 4-12 2-3 11; Brent DiGiovanna 2-4 5-6 9; Mark Ledwell 3-5 0-1 6; Eric Johnston 1-6 2-2 5; David Harding 0-0 0-0 0; Nick Fradiani 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-68 15-23 91. Tufts University.............. 31 48 - 79 Wheaton College............... 44 47 - 91 3-point goals-Tufts University 4-13 (Drew Kaklamanos 1-2; Jake Weitzen 1-1; Reggie Stovell 1-2; Ryan O'Keefe 1-6; David Shepherd 0-2), Wheaton College 10-20 (Mike Stanton 4-8; James Greenslit 3-3; Eric Johnston 1-2; Brian Zukowski 1-4; Josean Vega 1-2; Sean Kelly 0-1). Fouled out--Tufts University-None, Wheaton College-None. Rebounds-Tufts University 45 (Brian Kumf 10), Wheaton College 36 (Brian Zukowski 6; Mike Stanton 6). Assists-Tufts University 17 (David Shepherd 9), Wheaton College 14 (Sean Kelly 7). Total fouls-Tufts University 18, Wheaton College 17. A-200