LEWISTON – When you’re playing against a team that boasts the current NESCAC player of the week, averages over 70 points a game, and has an undefeated conference record, including a win over nationally ranked Wesleyan, you have to be hungry.

The Bates College women’s basketball team was just that, outhustling and outrunning Tufts University to a 70-58 NESCAC victory in Alumni Gymnasium Saturday.

“I was really concerned because they averaged 74 points a game and they’re a really versatile team. They post up different people and they have several players who can make three’s. We knew we were going to have to play a solid defensive game,” said Bates coach Jim Murphy.

Betsy Hochadel led the Bates offensive attack, hitting seven of 10 from the field and connecting on one 3-pointer for a career-high 18 points. The junior also dished out three assists, blocked two shots, and pulled down six rebounds.

“I try to work hard and fight for loose balls, and run the floor as well. When everyone is running together, people open up and get great shot opportunities,” Hochadel said.

Bates gradually built an 11-point lead in the first half, but the Jumbos answered back. They scored six straight points, including a pair of strong put-back buckets from Jessica Powers to close the gap to five heading into halftime.

Tufts (9-4 overall, 2-1 in NESCAC) cut the deficit to two early in the second half on a basket from Allison Love before Bates went on an 8-0 run, squashing any hope of a Jumbo comeback.

Olivia Zurek fueled the run, connecting on a jumper and finishing a back-door play set up by Meg Coffin. Zurek, who has led the Bobcats in both scoring and rebounding this season, finished the game with 15 points and nine boards. She has shot 55.7 percent from the floor this year, leading the NESCAC individual rankings.

The Bobcats set effective screens the entire game, connecting on the pick-and-roll for wide open buckets. They also took advantage of interior play, outscoring Tufts in the paint by 12 points.

“I think we have an edge inside, and I don’t think we took advantage of that. We took care of the ball better than we have against them in the past, but we just couldn’t capitalize,” said Tufts coach Carla Berube.

NESCAC player of the week Love led all scorers with 20 points and 14 rebounds for Tufts. Powers chipped in 16 points, including a pair of 3’s and Julia Verplank grabbed 10 rebounds for the Jumbos.

Bates used an aggressive full-court press almost the entire game, scoring 16 points off of the Jumbos’ 17 turnovers. The faster, more aggressive pace of the second half was to the Bobcats’ advantage as they used their talented bench to keep legs fresh on the floor.

“Holding a team that averages 74 points a game to 58 was just tremendous. The keys to this afternoon were the same as always: defensive, rebound, run,” said Murphy.

Bates, now 10-6 overall and 2-1 in NESCAC, will travel to the University of Maine at Farmington Monday for a non-conference matchup before coming home for five straight contests, including four important NESCAC games.

Hochadel added, “I think the season started off a little rough, but we’re coming into our own and building confidence in each game. We’re starting to play Bates basketball now.”