Big First-Half Powers MIT Past Endicott, 87-66
Nov. 29, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, MA - Despite outscoring the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 41-33 in the second half, the Gulls' late effort wasn't enough as the Blue and Green suffered an 87-66 non-conference setback to MIT on Thursday night in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
MIT, who has scored impressive victories over familiar TCCC schools in Gordon College (66-44) and Curry College (101-77), opened Thursday's contest as Jimmy Bartolotta (Littleton, CO/Heritage) jumped the passing lane right after the opening tip and coasted to an uncontested lay-up to give MIT the quick lead just 10 seconds into the game. The opening play was a precursor to the rest of the half, which was decisively controlled by the Engineers.
MIT, who played its strongest half of the season in the opening 20 minutes of play, built a commanding lead of 13-2 just four minutes into the game. As time went on the Engineers got stronger, pulling ahead 33-9 with 7:30 remaining in the first.
The Engineers benefited from an efficient offensive performance, but a majority of the surge came as a result of terrific defensive intensity. MIT tied an Institute record with 20 steals in the contest, including 12 thefts in the opening half. Bartolotta scored 20 of his 26 points in the first frame, and after finishing the opening half shooting 60% from the floor, the Engineers headed into the locker room up, 54-25.
Endicott showed its resiliency by orchestrating a 10-4 run in the first three minutes of the second half, proving they would refuse to pack it in. Graham Whitelaw (Kennebunk, ME/Cheverus) connected on back-to-back jumpers to spark the charge, allowing the Gulls to slice into the MIT lead.
Bobby Montrond (Brockton, MA/Brockton) brought Endicott to within 16 at the 9:40-mark after hitting his second of two triples to leave the Engineers in front, 71-55. Unfortunately for the Gulls, that would be as close as it would get as a fast-break dunk by Hamidou Soumare (Bamako, MALI/British School of Lome) sparked another mini-run that erased any thoughts of an Endicott comeback.
Soumare served as the catalyst in Thursday's win for the Engineers, setting career high's with 22 points, 16 rebounds and five steals.
The 20 steals tied a team record for MIT with Soumare leading the pack. Jimmy Bartolotta led all scorers with 26 points for the fifth-consecutive time for the Engineers. Bradley Gampel (Miami, FL/Ransom Everglades), who chipped in eight points and five assists, added four steals. Bartolotta and Will Mroz (Evergreen, CO/Wheat Ridge) each had three steals a piece.
Endicott boasted four players in double figures as well, led by Bobby Montrond, who finished with 17 points and a game-best seven assists. Graham Whitelaw scored 13 for the Gulls, while Tom Connor (York, ME/ Traip Academy) and Gary Corbett (Danbury, CT/Danbury) each supplied the offense with 10.
With the win, MIT improves to 5-1 on the season. The loss marks the Gulls third-straight defeat, lowering their record to 1-3 (0-0 TCCC). Endicott returns to action on Saturday afternoon as they host another formidable opponent in WPI. Game-time is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Beverly, Mass.