Middlebury built a double-digit lead midway through the first half en route to a 66-53 win over Tufts at Pepin Gym on Saturday. With the win, the 10th ranked Panthers improve to 14-1 overall and 2-0 in NESCAC play as the Jumbos drop to 3-10 and 0-2 in the conference. Despite being out-rebounded by Tufts 57-40 and 33-17 on the offensive glass, Middlebury held the Jumbos to .257 shooting from the floor.
Tufts took their only lead of the game at 16:40 in the first half on a lay-up by Scott Anderson at 16:40. The Panthers went on a 17-2 run, as Ryan Wholey scored eight of his 10 points during the span. The Jumbos cut the lead to 21-12 at 7:51 on a bucket by James Long. The Panther lead bulged to 32-18 after a three by Jake Wolfin at 2:43 before Jon Pierce and Anderson each made a pair of free throws to cap the first half scoring at 32-22.
Tufts opened the second half on a 5-0 spurt on an opening bucket by Dave Beyel followed by a three from Dan Cook at 19:22, cutting the lead to 32-27. Middlebury responded with an 11-2 run over the next six minutes, highlighted by seven points from Ryan Sharry. The lead grew to 51-35 after a bucket and free throw from Tim Edwards at 7:54 before the Jumbos went on an 8-0 run over the next 3:31, ending on a bucket from Beyel at 4:23.
Leading 51-43, a Sharry lay-up followed by a block from Andrew Locke set up a basket by Nolan Thompson at 3:32 giving Middlebury a 55-43 cushion. Tufts couldn't break the double-digit lead down the stretch, missing three of four shots from behind the arc.
Sharry had a game-high of 16 points and a team-best nine rebounds, while Wolfin added 15 and a game-high six assists. Wholey and Thompson each netted 10 for Middlebury. Pierce led Tufts with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, as Beyel added a dozen points and nine rebounds, including five offensive boards.
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