CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Freshman Nick Davis exploded for a career-high 29 points, on a near perfect shooting night, as No. 21 MIT cruised to a comfortable 92-68 win over visiting UMass-Boston in non-conference men's basketball action on Tuesday night. Davis connected on his first 11 shots to more than double his previous season point-total, as the Engineers improved to 7-1 with the win. The Beacons fall to 4-3 overall after the loss.

The Cardinal and Gray would jump out to an early lead thanks to a three-minute stretch in which it made nine straight shots. Jamie Karraker began the run with a three-pointer to put the hosts on top at 4-2 just over two and a half minutes into the contest. By the time the Engineers missed again the lead had grown to 17-6. Noel Hollingsworth poured in six points during the stretch while Mitchell Kates scored or assisted on four Tech baskets.

Tech extended its lead later in the half with an 11-0 spurt and would eventually take a 20-point advantage into the break. MIT shot a blistering 57.1% from the field during the first half, including four-of-eight from long range.

Davis would heat up early in the second stanza, scoring 23 of his 29 after the intermission, including an emphatic put-back dunk midway through the frame. The freshman was a perfect 11-for-11 from the field before finally missing a contested lay-up with just under four minutes to go. He would make up for it, however, by chasing down the rebound, drawing a foul and knocking down a pair from the line.

MIT continued its torrid shooting, connecting on 31-of-56 (55.4%) attempts from the field and hitting 24 foul shots en route to its fourth 90-point output in the first eight games of the campaign. Davis' big night helped the Cardinal and Gray gain a 64-36 edge in bench scoring, as Hollingsworth also chipped in with 16 points with the second unit. Davis added seven rebounds as part of a 42-24 advantage on the glass for the Cardinal and Gray.

Jason White paced the Beacons with 18 points. Michael Mitchell Jr. (17) and Mo Johnson (15) also finished in double figures for the visitors.

The Engineers will finish up 2010 with three straight road games, beginning Thursday, December 9 at Salem State College at 7:00 p.m. and culminating with a New Year's Eve clash against Harvard University. UMass-Boston will travel to Lesley University on Thursday for an 8:00 p.m. contest.