With its fourth straight victory, Tufts improved to 9-2 overall for its best start since the 2000-01 season. Martin finished with 19 and nine rebounds to lead the Jumbos in both categories. Babson, which was led by 16 points from sophomore Greg Bush (East Islip, NY), dropped below .500 to 5-6 overall.
The Jumbos dominated the boards in the game, earning a 49-28 advantage. Junior Brian Kumf (Milford, MA) had eight rebounds to go with 10 points, while sophomore Jake Weitzen (New York, NY) grabbed seven rebounds and scored 16 points. Their work on the glass helped offset their 28 turnovers in the game.
Tufts opened up what was a tight game for the first 10 minutes with an 11-2 run that gave them a 32-21 lead at 5:59 of the first half on a lay-up by sophomore guard Jeremy Black (Jamesville, NY). Tufts led by 11 at the break, with eight points and two assists by Black supporting Martin’s monster first half. Bush had eight points at intermission for Babson.
The visiting Beavers got within seven points twice early in the second half, both times on a pair of free throws by freshman Pat Belniak (Sutton, MA). Three minutes into the second half, the Tufts lead was 42-35. During the next two minutes, the Jumbos scored seven unanswered points to lead by 14, 49-35, on a lay-up by Martin at 14:48. Their lead would be double-digits the rest of the way.
Babson had it down to 12 points, 55-43, following a lay-up by sophomore Kyle McDonald (Wethersfield, CT) at 10:40, but the Jumbos scored the next nine points to take a 21-point lead (64-43). The margin would top out at 22 points and Tufts coach Bob Sheldon was able to empty his bench late.
Junior guard David Shepherd (Grantham, NH) finished an eventful game for the Jumbos with eight points, six steals, five assists, three rebounds and eight turnovers. Tufts continued its good free throw shooting, hitting 16 of 20 attempts for 80 percent.
Babson shot just 33.3 percent (19/57) from the floor and 15.4 percent from beyond the arch (2/13). Senior captain Brian Parsons (Queensbury, NY) finished with eight points, five rebounds and three assists. Junior Brandon Elgenberg (Milford, CT) put up seven points and pulled down six rebounds.
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TUFTS JUMBOS 71, BABSON BEAVERS 55 BABSON BEAVERS (5-6) Greg Bush 6-13 3-4 16; Brian Parsons 2-12 4-6 8; Pat Belniak 2-3 4-4 8; Brandon Eigenberg 2-7 2-2 7; Kyle McDonald 2-3 1-2 5; Chris Bradley 2-6 0-0 4; Zach Etten 2-4 0-0 4; David Votta 1-4 0-0 2; Isaiah Davis 0-1 1-2 1; Norm de Silva 0-2 0-0 0; Chris Bilodeau 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 19-57 15-20 55. TUFTS JUMBOS (9-2) Dan Martin 7-12 5-5 19; Jake Weitzen 6-9 2-3 16; Brian Kumf 4-8 2-2 10; David Shepherd 1-7 5-6 8; Jeremy Black 3-8 0-0 8; Ryan O'Keefe 2-7 1-2 6; Brian Fitzgerald 1-1 0-0 3; Aaron Gallant 0-1 0-0 0; Jason Grauer 0-2 0-0 0; Dacson Sears 0-2 0-0 0; Pat Sullivan 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-58 16-20 71. Babson Beavers................ 27 28 - 55 Tufts Jumbos.................. 38 33 - 71 3-point goals-Babson Beavers 2-13 (Greg Bush 1-1; Brandon Eigenberg 1-4; Kyle McDonald 0-1; David Votta 0-1; Isaiah Davis 0-1; Norm de Silva 0-2; Brian Parsons 0-3), Tufts Jumbos 7-18 (Jeremy Black 2-5; Jake Weitzen 2-3; Brian Fitzgerald 1-1; David Shepherd 1-3; Ryan O'Keefe 1-3; Aaron Gallant 0-1; Dacson Sears 0-1; Brian Kumf 0-1). Rebounds-Babson Beavers 28 (Brandon Eigenberg 6), Tufts Jumbos 49 (Dan Martin 9). Assists-Babson Beavers 7 (Brian Parsons 3), Tufts Jumbos 13 (David Shepherd 5). Total fouls-Babson Beavers 18, Tufts Jumbos 20. A-230