MEDFORD - Double-doubles from Sofia Rosa (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury) and Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) powered the Smith basketball team to a 68-61 win over Tufts University Tuesday evening inside Cousens Gym in non-conference action. 

Smith (18-3) entered tonight's contest ranked No. 14 in the latest WBCA Top 25 Coaches Poll and also appeared in the initial NCAA Division III Regional Rankings. 

Inside the Numbers

• Rosa, who played at Tufts from 2018-2022, tied her career-high with 14 rebounds and added 21 points for her eighth double-double of the year
• Ruffner put forth a remarkable effort as she posted her eighth double-double of the season with 22 points and 10 boards. She went 10-of-11 from the free throw line and added three assists
• Hannah Martin (North Andover, MA/North Andover) finished in double-figures with 14 points, seven boards, and one assist
• Smith shot 43.6% (24-of-55) from the field, 21.7% (5-of-23) from three-point range, and 83.3% (15-of-18) from the free throw line
• Tufts shot 39.1% (27-of-69) from the floor, 18.8% (3-of-16) from long distance, and 50% (4-of-8) from the free throw line

Game Highlights

• Rosa posted a three-point play to give the visitors a 16-9 lead with 3:51 left in the opening frame. The Jumbos scored the next six points, but another Rosa three-point play sent the game to the second quarter with Smith up 19-15. 
• The Jumbos would rally back though, tying the game twice before taking the lead at 30-29 with just under three minutes left in the half. The basket was part of a 9-0 run for Tufts, culminated by back-to-back steals and lay-ups by Russell on a full court press to make it 34-29. After Smith cut its deficit to one, Russell hit a bucket just before halftime ot give the hosts a 36-33 lead at the break. 
• The Pioneers would charge out of the halftime gates fast, scoring the first 12 points of the frame to force a timeout from the Jumbos down 45-36. Smith's lead grew up to a game-high 11 points at 50-39 on a bucket and free throw by Jessie Ruffner (Rocklin, Calif./Rocklin) but once again Tufts pushed back. The Jumbos answered that run with a 10-1 run to finish the third quarter to make it 51-49 going into the fourth.
• Tufts quickly tied the game with a Russell jumper to start the final stanza, but an 8-0 run over the next three minutes gave the visiting Pioneers some breathing room. The Jumbos got as close as five twice but Smith hit 5-of-6 down the stretch to seal the victory at the line. 

Up Next
Smith hosts Mount Holyoke College on Wednesday, February at 7:00pm. 

(Portions of this recap courtesy to Tufts Athletics Communications)

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.