Box Score 
MEDFORD- The Tufts University women's basketball team (14-2, 4-1 NESCAC) defeated the Bowdoin Polar Bears (13-4, 3-2) on Friday night at Cousens Gymnasium, 69-47.
Even without star guard Molly Ryan, who averages 16.8 points per game, the Jumbos did not lose a step. They spread the ball around well, racked up 18 team assists, out-rebounded the Polar Bears 53-34, and shot 9 of 22 (40.9 percent) from the three-point line. Tufts never trailed in this conference matchup, and led by as many as 36 points.
The game's two leading scorers were both from the home team - guard Erin Poindexter McHan (pictured) and forward Maggie Russell. Poindexter McHan posted 19 points, three rebounds, and two assists, with 15 of her points coming from beyond the arc. Russell turned in an 18-point, 14-rebound, and two-assist game, her tenth double-double in 14 games played this season.
The Jumbos climbed out to an early lead, effectively scoring both from within the paint and outside of the arc, going in front by 10 thanks to a hot shooting start by Poindexter McHan, who knocked down three three-pointers in the first five minutes of play. The Jumbos took advantage of defensive mismatches to set up easy looks for the offense, and limited Bowdoin's shot quality with stout defensive play.
In the second period, effective defensive play by both Bowdoin and Tufts limited scoring somewhat, but Tufts played effectively with post-ups in the paint and taking advantage of second-chance opportunities. Around the five-minute mark, both teams began to shoot the ball well, with two quick three-pointers by Bowdoin in subsequent possessions, but a rainbow three off the hands of Tufts sophomore guard Callie O'Brien stymied the Bowdoin run and kept the Jumbo lead in double-digits. The Jumbos finished the quarter well, never allowing their NESCAC rivals to gain any momentum, and entered the half up 37-22.
In the third quarter, the Jumbos and the Polar Bears both played effective zone defense, but a beautiful dime by Poindexter McHan to O'Brien for a three-point jumper opened up scoring for the Jumbos. Russell drove into the lane with ease, powering past defenders and knocking down layups.
By the fourth quarter, the Jumbos did not let off the gas, going on a 12-0 run to bring the lead up to 36. The Jumbo defense significantly limited the Bowdoin offense, barring them from scoring in the first six minutes of the final period. With such a significant lead, Tufts head coach Jill Pace pulled the starters and allowed the bench to play out the final minutes of the game.
Tufts will continue their homestand on Sunday at 3 PM against Colby and Monday at 7 PM against Smith before going on the road to face Trinity on February 4.
Written by Max Chow-Gillette, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
