BOSTON, Mass. - UMass Boston Men's Basketball played a closely contested first half with undefeated Tufts University to open the Black Collegiate Coaches Classic on Saturday, cutting the Jumbos' lead to 36-22 at the break. The visitors, however, would overwhelm in the second half, taking the game 83-41.

THE BASICS
UMass Boston 41, Tufts University 41

UMass Boston (1-4)
Tufts University (5-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Just 20 seconds after entering the game with 16:41 remaining in the first half, Hector Perez knocked down his first shot attempt of the day, a three-pointer to pull the Beacons even with the Jumbos at five points apiece. What looked to be a reward for the team's strong defense to start the matchup was actually the start of a long draught from long distance. 

With Tufts' lengthy guards shutting down the Beacons' sharpshooters, forwards Cameron Love and Ish Fofano stepped up in the paint. Each of the newcomers scored six early points to keep the Jumbos at bay. 

Tufts doubled their score with 18 points in the final nine minutes of the half, but the Beacons fought to limit the damage, cutting the lead to 36-22 at halftime.

In the second half, Tufts saw sizeable scoring contributions from their leaders and bench as well as continued defensive stops on the Beacons' leading scorers. A 47-19 second half run put the game away by a final score of 83-41.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Fofana's five steals were the most in a single game by a UMass Boston player this season
  • He also recorded his third double-digit scoring effort in five career games
• Jordan Bruno recorded three blocks off the bench
• Love tied a season high with eight points
• The Beacons are now 10-37 in the all-time series with Tufts

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will play game two of the Black Collegiate Coaches Classic at 12:30 on Sunday when they host Bowdoin College.