(MEDFORD) - Freshman Tom Palleschi (Haverhill, MA) poured in a game-high 19 points to lead the Tufts University Jumbos to an 83-52 win over the Lesley University Lynx in non-league men's basketball action on Friday night at Cousens Gym.

The game marked the home opener of the 2012-13 season for the Jumbos after nine games away from Cousens to start the year.

Tufts led the entire first half and took a 41-22 advantage into the break. The Jumbos held Lesley to 35-percent (9/26) shooting and forced 10 Lynx turnovers. Those turnovers led to 14 points for Tufts.

Palleschi and sophomore Ben Ferris (Essex Junction, VT) were the pace setters for Tufts, each scoring 13 first-half points. Palleschi was 6 for 8 from the field while Ferris was 4 for 5 including 2 of 3 from long range.

The Jumbos shot 48-percent (16/33) from the field in the first half while making 4 of 10 from three-point land. Senior Matt Gibson (Quincy, MA) led Lesley with six points in the first stanza, going a perfect 3 for 3 shooting.

Tufts stretched the lead to 38 with a 24-5 run over the first six minutes of the second half. The largest advantage of the game was 40 at 79-39.

Palleschi's 19 points came on 9 for 11 shooting while also grabbing seven rebounds and blocking three shots. Ferris ended the day with 18 points and finished 4 for 5 from three-point range. He just missed a double-double by picking up nine rebounds.

Freshman Nikalus Oliver (Pembroke Pines, FL) finished as the leading scorer for the Lynx with nine points. Sophomore Justin Rosa (East Brunswick, NJ) added eight.

Tufts out-rebounded Lesley 51-32 and held a 17-8 advantage on the offensive glass. The Jumbos had 19 second-choice points to just six for the Lynx.

Jumbos are back to .500 at 5-5 while Lesley falls to 3-5. Tufts is right back in action on Saturday afternoon with a 3 pm contest at Suffolk. The Lynx are off until Tuesday when they host Gordon at 8 pm.

Release courtesy of Tufts University Sports Information