MIT Men's Basketball

CONNECTICUT COLLEGE WEATHERS FURIOUS MIT COMEBACK, 68-65
Camels Escape With Victory After Shooting 68% in the First Half

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – An improbable comeback by the MIT men’s basketball team nearly became a reality on Tuesday night as the Engineers virtually erased a 16-point lead with seven minutes to play. With the clock ticking down and momentum increasingly favoring MIT, Connecticut College survived the scare when Jahkeen Washington buried a mid-range jumper with six seconds left in regulation.

Trailing 44-29 at the break, the Engineers climbed back into the game behind its trademark defensive sets. The Camels shot a blistering 68% from the floor during the first stanza, but couldn’t develop any kind of rythym in the last 20 minutes. Starting the second period as quickly as they ended the first, Connecticut College muscled its way out to a 20-point cushion with 17 minutes to play (51-31).

MIT entered the game toting one of the best three-point shooting outfits in the region, however the Engineers uncharacteristically failed on their first 12 attempts from long range. With less than eight minutes left in the game, Mike D’Auria and Andrew Tsai converted back-to-back three-point attempts to slice the Camels lead to seven. A jump shot by Mike Huhs with 6:30 left cut even further into Connecticut College’s advantage as MIT pulled within five for the first time since 18:36 of the first half.

Desite the comeback, the Camels never relinquished the lead, and eventually escaped the confines of Rockwell Cage with their first victory of the season. With the loss, MIT drops to 1-2 on the year.

Kyle Doherty and Mike Huhs were the driving forces behind MIT’s attack all game. Doherty canned 10 of 14 from the floor, closing with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds. Huhs was equally impressive, ensuring the season’s first double-double with a 13-point, 11-rebound effort. Huhs also added three assists and three steals. Mike D’Auria also reached double figures with a 15-point night. Making his first collegiate start, freshman Ryan Richardson was held without a field goal, however, the rookie playmaker showed flashes of brilliance in commanding the offense and finished with eight assists.

Connecticut College benefited from a balanced attack that produced four players in double figures. Rookie Zarrette Rogers led the way with 13, while three other players added 10.