Bartolotta Pours in 33, IR Dismantles KR

Former MIT standout Jimmy Bartolotta again led his team, IR Reykjavik, in scoring this evening, pouring in 33 points en route to a 124-96 route of 2nd-ranked KR. Since entering the starting lineup for IR, the team has gone 7-2 with Bartolotta, after a 3-9 start prior to his arrival. Over that span, the team has gone from 2nd-to-last to 6th in the league standings, and are in good condition to make the postseason.

Bartolotta is averaging a team best 23 ppg and 50% three point shooting. IR closes out the regular season this coming Thursday, in a match-up with Fjölnir. In attendance will be current MIT assistant Billy Johnson, as he cheers on his former teammate in his first visit to Iceland. Coach Johnson has plenty of experience cheering on Bartolotta from their four years together on the MIT squad, as both entered MIT in the 2005-06 season.

MIT Unable to Maintain Momentum, Fall to Rochester

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
Despite holding Rochester scoreless the opening 6.5 minutes of the contest, and leading 25-20 at the half, MIT fell to Rochester in the second round of the NCAA tourney this evening, 60-52. The Engineers got off to a hot defensive start, leading by as many as 10 early, but seemingly ran out of gas in the second half.

Leading the Engineers was senior forward Eric Zuk, who scored a season-high 15 points, in his last collegiate game. Will Tashman was also solid with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Mitch Kates contributed 14 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Full game recap and boxscore can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT closes out the season with their 3rd straight 20-win season, and 4th in 6 seasons. They return everyone except the aforementioned Zuk, and therefore should be contenders for the NEWMAC championship and on the national scene once again next season.