AMHERST, Mass. – The Tufts University men's basketball team shot 55.6% (10-of-18) from three-point range as they defeated No. 25 Amherst College Friday night at LeFrak Gymnasium, 80-53.

With the loss, the Jeffs drop to 10-4 overall and 1-2 in the NESCAC. The Jumbos defeated Amherst for the first time since the 2009-10 season, snapping a five-game skid to the Purple & White, as they improved to 6-7 on the year and 2-0 in league play.

Jeff Racy '17 went 4-of-9 from downtown to lead the Jeffs with 18 points. He also recorded a career-high seven rebounds. Joining him in double-figures with 11 points was Connor Green '16, while David George '17 and Johnny McCarthy '18 grabbed eight and six boards, respectively.
McCarthy also dished out a team-high four assists.

The Jumbos were led by Tarik Smith, who went 5-of-7 from the floor, 2-of-3 from downtown and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe for 18 points. Hunter Sabety went 7-of-10 from the floor for 14 points and Tom Palleschi added 10. Ryan Spadaford led the team in rebounding with eight.

Amherst never led in the game as the visitor's jumped out to a 10-point lead within the first 10 minutes of play following a lay-up by Smith. After a jumper by Palleschi minutes later put Tufts up by 10, a pair of three-pointers by Racy sparked an 8-0 run as the Jeffs cut the deficit to four with under six minutes remaining before the break, 22-18.

In the final seconds of the half, Smith hit a three-pointer to put Tufts back up by 12. Green went to the line on the following possession and went 1-for-2 as Smith came down and hit a deep buzzer-beater to give the Jumbos a 38-24 lead at halftime.

The second half was all Jumbos as they opened up on a 16-8 run to go ahead by 22 at the 12:58 mark, 54-32. They were perfect from the charity stripe in the final 20 minutes of regulation, going 10-for-10, and led by as much as 31 in the closing minutes to pull away with the decisive 80-53 win.

Amherst went 17-of-53 (25.0%) from the floor, 7-of-23 (30.4%) from downtown and 12-of-21 (57.1%) from the free throw line. The Jumbos shot exceptionally well as a team and hit 28-of-57 (49.1%) shots from the floor, 10-of-18 (55.6%) from behind-the-arc and 14-of-17 (82.4%) from the line. Tufts also held a slight edge in rebounding as they grabbed 38 to the Jeffs' 35.

The Purple & White return to the court tomorrow, Jan. 17 and will host Bates College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.