MIT Sweeps WPI, Now at 18-2

Strong shooting down the stretch secured a 74-66 win for MIT at WPI this afternoon. MIT was led with 21 points by Noel Hollingsworth (9-13 FG), 16 points from Mitchell Kates, 15 points by Jimmy Burke (4-5 FG, 3-4 3FG), and 12 from Billy Bender. The team shot exceptionally for the game (26-45 FG, 58%), especially from three point land (9-16, 60%), and the free throw line (13-15). This marks the first time in 7 years that MIT has swept the regular season series against WPI.

The game started out very competitive, MIT rushed out to an early 6-2 lead, but WPI responded with an 8-0 run of their own to take a 10-6 advantage five minutes into the game. Both teams continued to trade baskets for the next few minutes, until MIT went on a 6-0 run to take the lead 19-14 at the 10 minute mark. WPI immediately responded with a run of their own and tied the game at 19-19 in less than one minute of play. The teams continued going back and forth the rest of the half, MIT again pushed the lead to 5 with under five minutes to play only to see WPI tie it again with less than a minute to go in the half. Mitch Kates would make a runner on MIT's last posession to send MIT up two at the half, 32-30.

MIT started the half by stretching their lead to 7 about three minutes in, but they still could not shake WPI. A conventional three-point play followed by a three-pointer by WPI cut the MIT lead to 1 in just 35 seconds, 41-40. MIT would quickly regain the momentum, however, going on a 13-2 run, 8 of which came from point guard Mitchell Kates, to stretch the lead to 54-42 about half-way through the second half. WPI again went on a spurt, scoring 7 straight points in 1.5 minutes to cut the MIT lead to 5. Both teams battled for the next seven minutes, with MIT's lead fluctuating between 5 and 10 points, until WPI went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 3, 64-67, with under 1 minute to play. On their next posession, MIT went to their bread-and-butter in the post and were rewarded with a layup by Noel Hollingsworth to push the lead to 5. MIT would make their free throws from their to close out the game, winning 74-66.

MIT improves to 18-2, and 6-1 in NEWMAC play, with the win. They currently sit atop the NEWMAC standings by 1 game and are ranked #14 nationally in the latest D3hoops.com poll. MIT hosts Babson next Wednesday at 7:00 PM in Rockwell Cage.

MIT Cruises Past Coast Guard, Now 17-2

MIT turned a single-digit halftime lead into a comfortable win with an early run in the second half. MIT improves to 17-2 overall and 5-1 in NEWMAC play.

The game started off with both teams going back and forth for the first couple of minutes, before MIT went on a 14-4 run to go up 18-9 5 minutes into the action. MIT held the margin right around double digits for the next 10+ minutes, before building their lead to its largest of the first half, at 43-30, with 3 minutes to go. Coast Guard ended the half in a flurry, however, going on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 6 with just 12 second to play in the half, but a last second shot by Noel Hollingsworth increased the lead back up to 8 points at the half.

The second half was all MIT, as they went on a 16-4 run in the first 8 minutes to blow the game open 61-41. The game would not be close the rest of the game as MIT won by the same margin, 78-58.

MIT was again led by Noel Hollingsworth, who scored 25 points on 10-13 shooting, adding 7 boards. Will Tashman continued his solid play, finishing one point shy of a double-double, with 9 points and 12 rebounds. Billy Johnson and Jimmy Burke both came alive, scoring 12 and 14 points, respectively, behind four three-pointers a piece. Mitch Kates was again stellar at the point, adding 14 points on 5-9 shooting.

MIT returns to action on Saturday as they travel to WPI to face the other Engineers in the NEWMAC. MIT handed WPI their worst loss of the season on January 13, 76-53. It was the first win for MIT over WPI in 7 years. Tip is set for 1 PM.

MIT Ranked #14 in New D3Hoops Poll

MIT is ranked for the 6th consecutive week in the D3hoops.com national poll (and the 6th time in the school's history), checking in at #14 this week. MIT fell 6 spots after their first loss of the season to a DIII opponent.

MIT will look to get back on track Wednesday as they travel to Connecticut to face Coast Guard for a 7:30 tip.

MIT Ranked 11th in DIII by Massey RPI Rankings

MIT reached their highest ranking of the season in the Massey RPI BCS-style ratings, reaching 11th, the highest ranking of any team in the northeast. The BCS style rankings do not take into account margin of victory (MOV). In the MOV rankings, MIT was ranked 15th in all of DIII for games through January 20th.

MIT Loses First DIII Contest

MIT lost its first game to a DIII opponent this afternoon, falling to Wheaton College 60-57. MIT trailed for most of the afternoon, but took a 4 point with under 5 minutes in the contest before going cold and handing over the lead in the final 1.5 minutes of the game. Will Tashmen had a strong afternoon for the Engineers, scoring 15 points on 6-8 shooting, also adding 9 rebounds and 4 steals. Billy Bender also played well with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Mitchell Kates also added 15 points.

The game was close the first 12 minutes of the game, with neither team leading by more then 5 points. Wheaton then went on a 17-8 run to stretch the lead to 10 with 3 minutes to play in the first half. MIT would answer, however, finishing the half on a 7-0 run to enter the break down 3, 31-34.

MIT again started cold in the second frame, allowing 7 straight points by Wheaton in the first 3 minutes of the half. Again the Engineers rallied, going on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 40-41 with under 12 minutes to play. The teams went back and forth over the next few minutes, until MIT took their first lead, 54-52, with under 6 minutes to play. MIT would increase the lead to 4 on their next posession, but went cold from their, not scoring over a decisive 4.5 minute span that ended in a layup by Mitchell Kates with :24 seconds left. MIT had a chance to send the game to overtime, but a three pointer by Billy Bender was off the mark and Wheaton secured the rebound to take the win, 60-57.

MIT is on the road next week in two conference matchups. MIT drops to 16-2 (4-1 NEWMAC). They still hold the top spot in the NEWMAC, though, as Springfield fell to WPI today (both teams are now 3-2 in conference).

Strong Start, Finish Leads MIT Over Springfield

MIT received strong play from their post players, en route to a 67-56 win over visiting Springfield. Both teams entered the game 3-0 in the NEWMAC, but MIT takes over sole posession of first in the conference with the victory. Noel Hollingsworth led MIT with 25 points (8-12 FG), 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Will Tashmen also contributed strong post play, scoring 12 points (5-6 FG) and 9 rebounds. Billy Bender contributed 10 points and 8 rebounds, Mitchell Kates had 10 points, and Jimmy Burke had 9 points.

MIT came out of the gate very quickly, rushing out to a 10-2 lead. MIT lead by as many as 12 with just under 11 minutes to play in the half, but Springfield slowly began to chip away. Over the next 5 minutes Springfield cut the MIT lead to 2, but 3 three-pointers in a 1 minute span by Jimmy Burke pushed the lead back to double-digits. Springfield ended the half strong, pulling to within 4 points behind a 9-2 run.

The tight game continued into the second half, with MIT leading by no more than two posessions for the first six minutes of the second half. Springfield finally broke through, taking their only lead of the game with 13:41 left, 42-41. MIT retook the lead shortly after, but the teams still played close until about the 6 minute mark, until MIT finished the game on a 13-6 run. MIT shot 11-14 from the FT line in the last 8 minutes of the game, helping secure the win.

MIT improves to 16-1 overall and a perfect 15-0 in DIII play. MIT returns to NEWMAC action on Saturday at 1:00 PM, hosting Wheaton College.

MIT Moves to #8 in National Poll

MIT continued its historic start, improving to 15-1 overall last week and remaining undefeated versus D3 opponents. Today they were rewarded with the #8 ranking in the D3hoops.com national poll. This is the highest ranking for any NEWMAC team since the inception of the D3hoops.com poll and the 5th consecutive week MIT has been ranked this season.

MIT is back in action on Wednesday at 6:00 PM in an important conference match-up with Springfield at home. Both teams enter the game 3-0 in the NEWMAC.

MIT Overcomes Slow Start, Defeats Clark

Depite scoring only 9 points in the first 12 minutes of regulation, MIT was able to rally to pull out a close road win in NEWMAC action versus Clark.

Clark rushed out of the gates and quickly built a double-digit lead, 14-3, in just under 6 minutes of play. MIT continued to struggle most of the first half, going down by 14 with 9:18 to play. Clark continued to lead by double figures over the next 8 minutes, the final time being with 1:37 left, 35-21. MIT, however, would mount a 6-0 run, five of which came from Mitchell Kates ('13), to enter the half down by 8, 35-27.

MIT would come out hot in the second half, mounting a 13-5 run in the first five minutes to tie the score 40-40. They would continue their good defense, holding Clark scoreless over the next 7 minutes of the game, allowing them to gain their first lead and extend it to 45-40 with 8:18 to play. Clark would not go away, however, as they outscored MIT 7-2 over the next 4.5 minutes to knot the score again. MIT then countered with a 6-0 run of their own and was able to hold off a last push by Clark to get the 54-51 win.

MIT was led in scoring by sophomore Noel Hollingsworth ('12), with 17 points on 8-11 shooting. Mitchell Kates was the only other Engineer in double figures with 12. Billy Bender ('12) led the team with 7 rebounds.

MIT improves to 15-1 and remains undefeated against Division III opponents. They host Springfield College next Wednesday at 6:00 PM. Both teams will enter the game 3-0 in conference play and therefore will be playing for the early conference lead.

Hollingsworth Picks up Weekly Honors

After an outstanding week, in which he contributed to wins over Tufts and Babson, Noel Hollingsworth has been named NEWMAC Player of the Week. This is the third time he has received the award this year. In a 71-59 win at Tufts, Hollingsworth collected his 8th double-double of the season, notching 16 points (8-15 FG), 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Then, in MIT's NEWMAC opener against Babson, Hollingsworth poured in 37 points on 17-26 shooting in the 72-45 win. In doing so, he tied an over 40 year-old record for field goals made in a game. He also added 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in the game.

In addition to the NEWMAC honors, Hollingsworth was named ECAC New England Player of the Week, his second such award, and to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week, also his second time receiving that honor.

MIT Beats WPI, Improves to 14-1

MIT beat WPI tonight, 76-53, holding them to 30 points below their previous scoring average. This is the first win for MIT in nearly 7 years.

MIT entered the game with their highest national ranking ever, #9 in the D3hoops.com poll, and as an unlikely favorite given their recent track record against WPI. MIT, however, quickly showed who was the superior team this year, racing out to an 8-0 lead. MIT led 18-8 with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half, but WPI went on 10-3 run over the next two minutes to cut the lead to 21-18. MIT, however, would mount a run of their own, outscoring WPI 16-7 over the final 6.5 minutes of the first half to stretch their 24-20 lead up to 40-27.

WPI came out of the break quickly, scoring 4 straight points to cut the lead to single digits in just 40 seconds. MIT got the tempo back to their liking and would gradually grow their lead up to 20 points with under 11 minutes to play in the game, but WPI would not go away. They engineered an 11-2 run over next 5 minutes to cut the lead to 61-50. MIT answered however, finishing out the game on 15-3 run to stretch the final tally to 76-53.

MIT played a very balanced game with many contributors. The team, overall, shot 62% from the field and had 20 assists on 29 FGs. Mitchell Kates ('13) did a wonderful job orchestrating the team, finishing with 11 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Noel Hollingsworth ('12) continued his solid play, notching is 9th double-double of the season, with 16 points (7-10 FGs) and 10 rebounds. Billy Bender led the team in scoring with 17 points (3-5 3FGs, 6-10 FGs), also adding 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Jimmy Burke ('13) also played very well, especially in the second half, with 12 points on 4-5 FGs and 3-4 3FGs. Will Tashmen added 8 points and 5 rebounds, while Billy Johnson chipped in 9 points.

MIT improves to 14-1, with their sole loss being to D1 Harvard.