Tufts Topples Salem State 78-52 in Big Four Opener

WALTHAM, Mass.--  Salem State faced Tufts in the opening round of the 2021 New England Big Four Challenge on Friday evening at Brandeis University. Bobby Stewart scored 20 points to lead the Jumbos to a 78-52 victory over the Vikings.Tufts improves to 2-5 on the year while the Vikings go to to 4-4. Along with Babson and host Brandeis, the four teams have met each season since 2009 for the right to secure the "Crotty Cup" named in honor of Michael Crotty Sr., Founder and Director of the Middlesex Magic AAU Club. Salem State last won the championship in 2017.

The first half was played evenly until an 8-0 run by Tufts gave the Jumbos a 22-14 lead at the 8:29 mark following a free throw by Dylan Thoerner. The two teams exchanged baskets until a layup by Stewart gave the Jumbos their first double-digit lead, 29-19 with 4:09 remaining. Salem State, which shot 13-of-32 (40.6%) from the floor was held to just one field goal over the final five minutes as Tufts built a 37-21 halftime advantage. Stewart sparked Tufts with 16 first half points off the bench, connecting on 6-of-9 (66.6%) field goal attempts. Eight Salem State turnovers helped Tufts, who has won the Big Four Challenge twice in 2011 & 2015, to a 16-points first half advantage. The Vikings were led by Josiah Green, who contributed six first half points.

Tufts continued their run into the second half, outscoring Salem State 22-2 following back-to-back baskets by Dylan Thoerner that gave the Jumbos a 47-21 lead. The lead grew to 28 points, 51-23 as the Vikings managed just one field goal over the first 3:38 of the second half. The Jumbos continued their consistent play on offense, connecting on 13-of-31(41.9%) shots, including 6-of-16 (37.5%) from three-point range. Tufts held Salem State to 10 points over the final 5:21 as the Jumbos settled for a 26-point victory, 78-52.

Thoerner was the only other player in double-digits for Tufts, scoring 11 points, while going 4-for-4 from the field. Stewart had eight rebounds while Theo Henry had seven points and eight rebounds for Tufts.

Green and Conner Byrne led the Vikings with eight points apiece, and 11 combined rebounds.