MIT Races Past CGA on Senior Day

Playing for the two seniors on this year's squad, MIT played inspired basketball out of the gate this afternoon. The Engineers jumped out to a 25-4 lead in the first 10 minutes of the contest, behind strong play from 5th-year senior Billy Johnson. Coast Guard would not give up, continuing to battle for the whole game, but the MIT lead never dwindled below double-figures as MIT secured their 9th conference win of the season. The win marks the most MIT has ever had in one season in regular-season NEWMAC play and also ties the Institute record of 21 wins in a season, set in the 2005-2006 season and equalled last year. MIT improves to 21-2 overall and 19-1 in DIII action.

There were many strong individual performances for MIT, as center Noel Hollingsworth scored 17 points, including 4-6 from three-point land, and had 8 rebounds. Will Tashman was also exceptional for MIT today, scoring 13 points, hauling in 11 boards, and dishing out 4 assists. The day, however, belonged to the seniors. Patrick Sissman continued his solid season as back-up point guard, securing two boards and dishing out an assist, while Billy Johnson went for 13 points and three rebounds. With today's effort, Johnson is now 21st on the all-time MIT scoring list. Johnson now has 88 wins for his career, the most for any player in school history (counting the medical red-shirt season in which he played only 6 games).

The official release for today's game can be found here: MIT Release.

MIT continues league action next Wednesday as they travel to Wheaton to try to avenge their only DIII loss of the season. The tip is set for 5:30 PM. Vist back to Tech Hoops next week for the game preview.

Senior Day Profile: Patrick Sissman

Patrick Sissman enters his final regular-season game at Rockwell Cage as the epitomy of the true MIT student-athlete. A relentless worker both on and off the court, Sissman has worked hard through his four years helping to bring the program to where it is now. His contributions to the team go far beyond the stats he has put up, as he can regularly be found sharing his knowledge of the game with the younger guards on the team, and has been instrumental in the team's success in recent years.

Patrick Sissman hails from the Baltimore, Maryland area and entered MIT in the 2006 season. In that year, MIT was in rebuilding mode after losing seven seniors the previous season and Sissman was one of the players that stepped up to carry the team. In his freshman year, he averaged 24 minutes per game, including six starts. He would have one of the best games of his career against WPI on February 24, 2007, scoring 10 points (a career-high) on 4-7 shooting, with 4 assists and 3 steals. He had several big games statistically for the Engineers that season. In his sophomore season, Sissman played exceptionally in his role as back-up point guard, giving MIT strong minutes with great defensive intensity. As a junior, Sissman would set a career high with 7 assists on November 25, 2008 versus Curry. He followed that up later in the season with a 6 assist and 0 turnover performance against UMass-Boston on February 2, 2009. Entering his senior season, Sissman has been elected captain for the Engineers. He has been instrumental in tutoring the crop of talented young guards on the squad and getting them up to speed with the college game. To date, he has scored 120 career points, has 154 assists, and has grabbed 138 rebounds in 96 career appearances.

Coach Larry Anderson on Sissman:
“Patrick represents the true MIT student-athlete. Patrick, who has lettered all four years he has played, is one of true leaders of this team and has been one of the most dedicated and intelligent players I have ever coached. We appreciate the service he has given this basketball program on the court, classroom, and in the community. People don’t understand how great a person he is and that he will really be missed by our team and the MIT community as a whole. Patrick has been unwavering in his commitment to the MIT basketball program. Without his leadership we would not be where we are right now.”

Senior Day Profile: Billy Johnson

In coming back for his final year of eligibility, 5th-year senior Billy Johnson has secured his position in the history of MIT basketball. Johnson will leave the program as the all-time wins leader as a player in MIT basketball history. Including this season, Johnson has been a part of three 20 win seasons.

As a freshman out of Kamiak High School in Everett, Washington, Willard "Billy" Johnson entered as a part of the prized 2005 MIT recruiting class that included other future stars such as Bradley Gampel and Jimmy Bartolotta. Although the team that year was heavily senior dominated, Johnson still managed 13 starts in 23 appearances. The future looked bright for Johnson, but an injury six games into his sophomore season kept him out the rest of the year. As a junior, Johnson started all 24 games he appeared in, averaging 10 points per game and 5 rebounds per game. He had one of his biggest performances on opening day of that season, scoring 26 points and hauling in 7 rebounds against Western Connecticut. Entering his true senior season, Johnson entered a completely different player than three years prior, having added many pounds in muscle and polishing his all-around game. This paid off on the court as he would set career marks in every category, starting all 26 games he appeared in, averaging 17 ppg and 6 rpg. That season, he set career highs in points, scoring 40 in last year's senior day against Clark, and rebounds, with 14 against Springfield on February 4, 2009. He was named 2nd-team All-NEWMAC last season for his efforts. Now returning for his second senior season, Johnson has played an instrumental role in shaping the young group of talented newcomers this year. He currently sits at 1000 career points and 460 career rebounds.

Coach Larry Anderson on Johnson:
“Bill, as a 5th senior, has been the ultimate champion for this team. Whether it is hosting recruits or scoring 40 points on the court. He has been a consummate leader for this team for five years and really leads by example. From day one when Bill stepped on this campus at 6’8” you knew he was a basketball player, but his commitment to changing the stereotype of MIT basketball players and MIT athletes as a whole has been relentless. I can’t put into words what Bill has meant to this program. Coming back for a 5th year has really helped the continuity of our program and you can really see the results on the court in how the young players are responding to his, and the other captains’, leadership.“