MEDFORD, Mass. – Despite leading for nearly 30 minutes and building multiple second-half runs, the Brandeis University women's basketball team saw its seven-game winning streak end on the road Saturday afternoon, falling to Tufts University, 67–62. The Jumbos took advantage of a late technical foul to pick up a key seven-point possession that turned the tide of the game.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis, 7-1.
• Tufts, 6-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Brandeis started slowly but settled in midway through the first quarter, getting early baskets from senior Katherine Vaughan (Bedford, Mass./ Bedford), junior Sofia Berisha (Old Tappan, N.J./ Winchendon School), and free throws by senior Brooke Reed (Chantilly, Va./ Westfield) to stay only one point behind Tufts by the end of the first quarter 11-10.
• Soon, the Judges found their offensive rhythm, with shots by Vaughan and senior Abby Kennedy (Half Moon Bay, Calif./ Half Moon Bay) to take a 16–11 lead just one minute into the second quarter..
• Brandeis maintained the lead through the rest of the quarter, but not by more than two possessions.
• A shot from sophomore Jazzy Perez (Johns Creek, Ga./ Centennial) and a layup from Berisha put Brandeis ahead 26–22 at the 2:27 mark, but Tufts scored the final two points of the half to send the Judges into the break only up 26–24.
• Brandeis put together its strongest stretch of the afternoon to open the third. The Judges used a 16–10 run, featuring a three-pointer from Kennedy along with shots from Berisha, Perez, and Reed, to build their largest lead at 42–34 with 1:05 remaining in the quarter.
• But Tufts answered immediately, closing the frame with six straight points, including a 3-pointer, a late layup, and a free-throw, trimming the Brandeis advantage to 42–40 heading into the fourth.
• The Judges opened the fourth quarter strong, with 2 points from Berisha, and another 3-pointer from Kennedy with a crucial assist from sophomore Saviah Shabazz (Plano, Tex./ Plano West Senior).
• Shabazz then added another bucket to push the lead to 49–43 with 5:59 left.
• From there, Tufts gradually took control. Two trifectas as well as a few free-throws put the Jumbos on top for their first lead since the opening minute of the second quarter.
• The turning point in the game came with just over two minutes to go when the Jumbos earned a seven-point possession. With Brandeis leading, 53-50, Abi Stone hit a jumper and was fouled on the play. The Judges were called for a technical, giving the Jumbos two additional free throws and the ball. They converted all of their foul shots and the possession turning a three-point deficit into a four-point lead.
• The Judges never let Tufts get more than five points ahead, but they couldn't get any closer than two the rest of the way.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Kennedy, after missing the previous two games to injury, led the Judges with 17 points, while adding five rebounds and a steal.
• Vaughan delivered another strong all-around outing with 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Berisha matched her with 14 points of her own and added five boards and an assist.
• Perez finished in double figures as well with 11 points, including a pair of key baskets during Brandeis's third-quarter surge.
• Shabazz led the team with four assists and contributed a steal, while senior Maya Williams (Redondo Beach, Calif./ Redondo Union) grabbed six rebounds and blocked a shot.
• Brandeis shot 46.8% from the floor (22-47), but the Jumbos held a slight 31–30 edge on the glass and converted 19-of-28 free throws compared to 16-of-25 for the Judges.
• The game was tightly contested throughout, with five ties and six lead changes. Brandeis led for nearly 29 minutes and held its largest advantage at 42–34 late in the third, but Tufts' 27-point fourth quarter and 11 free throws in the final two minutes made the difference.

UP NEXT

• Brandeis returns home on Wednesday, Dec. 10, to host Bridgewater State at 5 p.m. in Waltham.