Tufts outscored Middlebury 18-2 over the final 10:08 of the game on its way to a 57-37 win in NESCAC play Sunday afternoon in Pepin Gym. The ninth-ranked Jumbos (12-1, 1-0) pick up their first league win and return to action when they host Amherst on Friday, while the Panthers (8-5, 1-1) host Potsdam on Tuesday.

Tufts jumped out to an 11-3 lead on a bucket from Emma Roberson at the 14:56 mark of the first half.  The Panther defense clamped down as Middlebury went on an 18-5 run over the next 7:44 to take a 21-16 lead with 6:05 remaining in the first half. Rachel Crews hit a two and a three during the run, while Sabrina Weeks drained a pair of shots. The Jumbos went 1-15 from the floor during the Panther run.

A pair of free throws and a three from Lauren Dillon tied the game at 21-21 with 4:57 on the clock. Neither team shot well down the stretch as the game entered halftime knotted at 23-23.

Alexis Coolidge scored the first points of the second half for Middlebury, putting them up 25-23. That would be the final lead for the Panthers as the Jumbos slowly increased their advantage.

Middlebury answered on several occasions, including a hoop from Coolidge to make it a 39-35 game with 10:08 remaining. Much like the Jumbos did in the first half, the Panthers went ice-cold from the floor from that point on, missing their next 13 shots as Tufts took a comfortable lead on its way to the victory.

Crews led Middlebury with 14 points, Elizabeth Knox added eight with six rebounds, while Sarah Kaufman finished with six points, seven assists and seven boards. Weeks pulled down a game-high eight caroms.

Haley Kanner of Tufts led all scorers, going 8-16 from the floor for 19 points, while adding nine rebounds. Roberson scored 13 on the afternoon, while Michela North had 10 with a game—high 13 rebounds.