MIT Ranked in Week 2 of NCAA Regional Poll

The NCAA has released their second of four weekly regional rankings leading up to the NCAA Division III tournament selection day. MIT broke into the polls this week, checking in at #11 in the northeast.

The full list can be found at D3Hoops.com.

Late MIT Rally Silences Clark

MIT used a late second half run to win by a comfortable margin over Clark this evening in Worcester, 69=58. Despite leading most of the game, MIT found themselves tied at 44 all with just over 5 1/2 minutes to play in the contest. However, they would mount a 22-6 run over the next 4:22 to put away the game.

Leading MIT was point guard Mitchell Kates, who scored 21 points, dished out 5 assists, and had 4 steals. Joining Kates in double figures were Jamie Karraker and Will Tashman, who scored 17 and 16, respectively. Karraker made 5 three pointers and Tashman added 7 rebounds. Also putting in a solid efforts were Will Dickson, who had 9 points and 7 boards, and Billy Bender who had a team high 9 rebounds in just 16 minutes of action.

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

With the win, MIT pulls into a tie with Springfield College for 2nd in the NEWMAC, although MIT currently holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Engineers next travel to Coast Guard for their last road game of the season. Game is set for Saturday, February 12, at 1:00 PM.

MIT Edges Babson, Remains 2nd in NEWMAC

Images Courtesy of Tom Gearty

A balanced scoring effort was enough for MIT to edge out a NEWMAC victory this evening in Babson Park, 63-60. In addition to the usual suspects of Will Tashman (18 points, 8 rebounds), Mitch Kates (11 points, 8 assists), and Jamie Karraker (6 points, 2-2 3FG), MIT received solid contributions from freshmen Will Dickson (10 points) and Nick Davis (7 points), in addition to junior swingman Billy Bender (9 points).

The game was close throughout most of the first half, until a 16-6 MIT run over the final 6:18 gave the Engineers a 10 point lead at intermission. Behind strong play from Dickson and Kates, MIT pushed the lead to 16 with just under 13.5 minutes remaining in the game. Babson would not be discouraged, however, as they systematically chipped away at the lead, cutting it to as little as 2 points in the final minute. On the last possession of the game, MIT was able to preserve the victory with a strong defensive possession, forcing Babson into an errant three-point attempt.

A full game writeup can be found on the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT has this Saturday off, but travels next Wednesday to face Clark in a 7:00 PM contest. With just 4 games remaining in the regular season, MIT is in the drivers seat for the #2 seed in the NEWMAC tourney. The Engineers are currently tied with Springfield for second in the league, with a 5-3 mark, but currently hold the tiebreaker due to their head-to-head victory.

MIT Drops Close Contest to WPI

Despite a strong effort, MIT came up short this afternoon against a formidable WPI aquad, the #14 ranked team in the country. With MIT leading 40-37 with 11 minutes to play in the contest, WPI went on an 18-5 run over the next 8 minutes to put the game away. Poor offensive production down the stretch, and for the game overall, were MIT's undoing. MIT was led by Mitch Kates, who scored 17 points and had 4 assists. With the loss, MIT drops to 14-6 (4-3 NEWMAC) and into a three-way tie for 2nd place in the conference.

Full story can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT next plays at Babson, on Wednesday, February 2nd, as they try to avenge an earlier home loss to the Beavers. Live stats for the game can be found here. Video of the game can be found here.

Super Sophs Carry MIT over Coast Guard

Images Courtesy of Tom Gearty
After a close first half, a strong effort by MIT's three starting sophomores propelled the Engineers to victory this evening over the United States Coast Guard Academy. MIT was led in scoring by sophomore point guard Mitchell Kates, who poured in 27 points on 9-14 shooting (3-5 from 3), adding 6 assists and only 1 turnover. Also excelling was sophomore forward Will Tashman, who scored 26 points on 10-13 from the field, while grabbing 11 rebounds. The sophomore trifecta was rounded out by Jamie Karraker, who finished the evening with an uber-efficient 6-8 shooting performance, including 5-6 from 3, on his way to 17 points. Billy Bender played strong off the bench for the Engineers, contributing 11 points (3-4 FGs), 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. As a team, MIT shot an astounding 60% from the field, including 60% from 3 (9-15), in addition to being nearly perfect at the free throw line (16-17). MIT also controlled the boards, limiting the USCGA to just 18 rebounds on the evening, for a +12 margin.

The game boxscore and full story can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

With the win, MIT pulls into sole posession of 2nd place in the NEWMAC, trailing only WPI. Therefore, the matchup this Saturday at Rockwell cage has added significance for both teams. MIT will look to draw within just a game of WPI in the NEWMAC standings, and split the season series, while WPI will look to all but seal up the NEWMAC regular season crown. Tip is set for 3:00 PM.

Kates Posts Career High as MIT Drubs Wheaton

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
Mitch Kates poured in a career high 34 points, on 11-15 shooting (4-6 from 3), as MIT was able to comfortably beat Wheaton on the road this afternoon, 79-60. MIT was hot from the start of the game, building a double-digit advantage in the first 9 minutes of the contest. They would build the lead to as many as 19 in the first half, before heading to the break up 14, 48-34. MIT cruised in the second half as well, as Wheaton never got closer than 13 points and MIT lead by as many as 23.

Also playing well for MIT was Will Tashman, who had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. In addition to being his career high, the 34 points scored by Kates was also a single-game high for the Engineers this season.

More coverage of the game can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT next hosts USCGA on Wednesday, January 26th, for an 8:00 PM tip. They will look to extend their 3 game NEWMAC winning streak.

Bartolotta Strong Again as IR Wins 2nd Straight

Jimmy Bartolotta was back in action tonight, after last night's game against KFI was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Bartolotta's IR side came out on top, winning 92-82, as he scored 16 points. He is now averaging 25 points per game for the season, on 60% shooting from 2, 45% shooting from 3, and 94.4% shooting from the FT line. Despite being 3-8 prior to Bartolotta's arrival, IR has won its last two game with the former MIT star. IR seems poised to make a run for the playoffs, as they have moved up to a tie for 8th place in the Iceland Express League (IEL). The top 8 teams in the league qualify for the postseason.

IR is back in action next Thursday, January 27, as they travel to Tindastoll. Tindastoll is currently one game ahead of IR in the rankings, and a win could move IR into the 6th or 7th position in the IEL.

Strong Defense Leads MIT to Victory at Springfield

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
MIT posted a strong conference road victory this evening, as they defeated Springfield College 60-50. The entire first half of the game was very tightly contested, but with Springfield holding a slight advantage most of the way. However, MIT was able to hold them scoreless over the final four minutes and score a few buckets of their own to take a 29-26 advantage into the break.

In the first 2.5 minutes of the second half, Springfield went on a 7-3 run to take the lead back. However, MIT would respond immediately going on a 14-2 run of their own to build an 11 point lead, which they would not relinquish. Springfield would also rally down the stretch, cutting the lead to 4 points with 2 minutes remaining, but MIT would finish the game on a 6-0 run to account for the final score.

Leading MIT was Jamie Karraker with 18 points on 5-7 shooting from 3. Freshman Tim Donegan also posted a solid effort, going for 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Mitch Kates led MIT at the point with 5 assists and 2 steals.

A full recap can be found at the official MIT Athletics website.

MIT next travels to Wheaton in another conference matchup, this Saturday, January 22 at 4:00 PM.

Bartolotta Shines Again, Leads Team to Victory

In just his 2nd game of the season, former MIT star Jimmy Bartolotta led his Icelandic squad, IR Reykjavik, to a 97-89 victory over Njardvik. Bartolotta led the team with 32 points, on 9-16 shooting, as well as adding 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. In his first two games with IR, Bartolotta has scored 58 points on 17-29 shooting (17-18 FTs).

The full boxscore for this afternoon's game can be found at the Iceland Express League website.

Pictures from the game can be found here.

IR next plays on Thursday, January 20.

MIT Back on Track With Conference Win

Image Courtesy of Dawn Anderson
After struggling through the last two weeks of play, MIT got back on track this afternoon with a strong 77-63 win over conference foe Clark University. MIT came out strong, building a double-digit lead in the first half behind 6-8 shooting from 3. They took a 37-24 lead into the halftime break. The second half was played much more tightly, but MIT was able to deny any type of Clark run to allow for the comfortable win. MIT shot over 56% for the game, including 67% in the second half. The were stellar from outside also, converting 12 of 18 3-point attempts. In addtion to their offensive prowess, the Engineers controlled the paint, outrebounding Clark 39-17 and allowing only two second chance points.

Playing one of his best games of the year was Mitchell Kates, who scored 17 points on 5-6 shooting, also adding 5 assists (with just 2 turnovers). Will Tashman was also big for MIT, with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

The full game boxscore can be found at the Official MIT Athletics website.

MIT continues NEWMAC play in their next contest as they travel to Springfield College on Wednesday, January 19, for a 7:00 PM tip.