MEDFORD, Mass. – The Tufts University women's basketball team lost only one game as it advanced to last year's NCAA Division III Final Four, defeating Eastern Connecticut State University by 15 points in the process in the round of 16.

If Tuesday's performance is any indication, the Jumbos – despite losing three starters -- may be even stronger than a year ago.

Facing an Eastern (3-1) team which had won its first three games by an average of better than 20 points, No. 3-ranked Tufts (2-0) broke from a competitive first quarter by outscoring the No. 21-ranked Warriors, 21-6, over the second ten minutes en route to a 71-43 non-conference victory in its home-opener at Cousens Gymnasium.

Over 40 minutes, Tufts connected on nine of 14 three-point field goals, blocked eight shots, and turned Eastern's 21 turnovers into 26 points. The Jumbos scored the first five points and ten of the first 12 before the Warriors cut the gap to two in the final seconds of the first quarter.

Leading by four after one quarter, Tufts – coming off a 17-point road win over 2015 ECAC champion Brandeis University  Saturday -- set the tempo quickly in the second quarter on Melissa Baptista's three-point field goal off an Eastern turnover. In the quarter, Eastern was limited to eight field goal attempts (sinking two), while the hosts – behind Baptista (3-of-4) -- were 8-of-14 from the floor.

Senior forward Jill Ritrosky (Pittsfield, MA) – Eastern's scoring and rebounding leader – led both teams with 18 points and ten rebounds (her third double-double in four games this year), but Eastern's remaining four starters were limited to 12 points on 5-of-20 field goal shooting, and commited 12 turnovers. Junior center Lexis Foster (Groton) followed Ritrosky with eight rebounds as Eastern played the taller Jumbos to a stalemate on the boards.

Senior guard Emma Roberson led a balanced Tufts team with 13 points, junior guard Josie Lee and Baptista each chipping in ten points. Lee also had four steals in 19 minutes. Six-foot- inch junior center Michela North – an All-America honorable mention choice a year ago – had nine points and seven rebounds for Tufts and sophomore guard Lauren Dillon handed out seven assists.

Eastern hosts the University of Saint Joseph (CT) Tuesday at 7 p.m.