Friday, January 24, 2014

Babson 2nd Half Surge + MIT Errors = MIT Loss

Box Score

Babson went 7-of-13 from three, had 6 steals, forced 11 turnovers, and outscored MIT 40-24 in the 2nd half to go on to the 65-47 victory Wednesday night at Staake Gymnasium in Babson Park. MIT would manage just 4 field-goals in the final 15 minutes of play, while allowing an individual to score more than 20 points against them for the first time this season.

Although MIT is holding conference opponents to just 52 ppg and 33% field-goal percentage from two, conference opponents are shooting 37% from three against the Engineers (42% in MIT's two losses). This means for every three-point shot, an opponent can expect 1.12 points on average (3*37%). For every two-point shot taken, NEWMAC opponents are only averaging .67 points (2*33%). A three-point shot is worth nearly double in expected value versus the Engineers.

Meanwhile, MIT is only shooting 28% from three against NEWMAC opponents. In their two conference losses, MIT has gone on scoring droughts where only 7 total field goals were scored in 30 minutes of play in the 2nd half.

6'8" former All-Conference selection Matt Redfield, who was double-teamed consistently against Babson, still managed 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal, 1 assist, and 1 dunk on the night to lead the Engineers. 6'8" Andrew Acker notched another double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds to go along with 4 assists. 6'6" Sophomore Justin Pedley added 10 points, his 12th consecutive game scoring in double-digits.

MIT moves to 11-4 overall and 3-2 in conference (a four-way tie for 2nd place), and will face Emerson on Saturday.