#20 Tufts Rolls to 66-44 Triumph Over Women's Basketball

Medford, MA --- The Tufts University women's basketball team registered its third consecutive 20-win season with a 64-44 final over Worcester State College on Wednesday night at Cousens Gym. Tufts (20-4), ranked 20th in this week's D3Hoops poll, was led by a career-high 19 points and eight rebounds from sophomore Kate Barnosky (Huntington Station, NY).

Playing in their regular-season finale on Wednesday, the Jumbos broke a two-game skid and had four players score in double figures. Visiting Worcester State (13-11), which was within nine points with nine minutes left in the second half, was led by 18 points on nine for 13 shooting by sophomore guard Kaleigh Charette (Fairhaven, MA).

The Lancers scored the first five points of the game, including an opening three-pointer by senior Reilly O'Keefe (Warren, MA). However, the Jumbos took control and hit four of seven three-point attempts in the first 20 minutes on their way to a 35-23 lead at the break. Sophomore Tiffany Kornegay (Carver, MA) had nine points at intermission for Tufts and junior Alexis George (Worcester, MA) had eight for Worcester. An 11-2 Jumbo run spanning four minutes turned their 14-11 advantage into 25-13 with 9:03 on the clock. They led comfortably from there.

Into the second half, the Jumbo lead ballooned to 21 points (46-25) with another 11-2 stretch in the first five and a half minutes. Barnosky had seven points during the run. However, Worcester didn't fold. They responded with a 14-2 run that pulled them to within 48-39 at the nine-minute mark of the second half. Charette had eight of the points. Tufts was forced to take a time-out, and they came out of it and scored seven straight points to produce a 55-39 margin following Barnosky's three-pointer with 6:53 remaining. The Jumbos led by double digits the rest of the way.

Kornegay added 13 points and six rebounds for the hosts, who turned it over just 11 times compared to 25 by the Lancers. The Jumbos scored 30 points off turnovers. Hart finished with 12 points and senior Julia Baily (Farmington, CT) added 11 with six rebounds and two blocks. Tufts grabbed 18 offensive rebounds, including five by Barnosky.

George finished with eight points and four rebounds for the Lancers, who lost their second straight after four consecutive wins. First year Kara Rogers (Lowell, MA) had six points and two rebounds for Worcester.

Tufts will host Bowdoin in the first round of the NESCAC Tournament on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM. Worcester State finishes its regular season and MASCAC season at home against Salem State on Saturday afternoon at 4PM.

Release Courtesy of Tufts Sports Information