MIT Closes Non-Conference Play With 76-71 Win Over Bridgewater State

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THE BASICS:

Score: MIT 76, Bridgewater State University 71

Records: MIT (7-4); Bridgewater State University (2-8)

Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Rockwell Cage)

The Lead: Led by four student-athletes in double figures, the MIT men's basketball team closed its non-conference schedule with a 76-71 win over Bridgewater State University on Thursday evening in Cambridge. The Engineers were guided junior Ian Hinkley (Raleigh, N.C.), who posted 26 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- Bridgewater State jumped out to an 8-2 lead over the opening 3:55 of the contest, but the hosts answered with a 15-6 run that was capped by a three by Hinkley as MIT took the lead back at 17-14 with 12 minutes to play in the first half. Hinkley knocked down two shots from long range over the run, while Kael Kordonowy (Wichita, Kan.) chipped in with four points which included a dunk.

- The back half of the opening stanza was played as a one possession game until there was just two seconds left on the clock. An offensive rebound and a layup by Dan Pilsbury (Millington, N.J.) gave MIT its largest lead of the half as the host Engineers led 36-31 at the break.

- MIT led by its largest margin of the game (66-58) with 6:17 to play in regulation after Hinkley drained another shot from behind the arc. However, over the next five minutes Bridgewater State went on a 13-5 run that was highlighted by eight points from Ryan Carney.

- A foul by the visiting Bears put Pilsbury at the line with less than a minute to play and the score even at 71-71. The sophomore went 1-for-2 at the stripe, but it was enough to give MIT a lead that it would not relinquish. Over the final minute, Kordonowy and Giannis Chatziveroglou (Athens, Greece) both converted a pair of free throws as the Engineers defeated the bears by a 76-71 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Kordonowy finished the day with a career-high 21 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Pilsbury added 13 points, six rebounds and a trio of steals for the Engineers.

- Bridgewater State had a pair of student-athletes post 20 or more points as the Bears were led by Dimitri St. Louis who registered 27 points and 18 rebounds on the night. Carney ended his night with 24 points, four boards and a team-high four assists. 

- Both teams shot 45.2-percent from the floor (28-for-62), while MIT knocked down nine shots from behind the arc. As a team, MIT forced 15 turnovers, dished out 23 assists and notched nine steals, but Bridgewater State had control of the rebounds as the Bears held a 40-34 edge on the glass tonight.

UP NEXT:

- MIT will open NEWMAC play after the New Year as the Engineers will travel to WPI on Wednesday, January 8 at 6:00 pm.

STAY CONNECTED:

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