THE BASICS:
 
- Score: Salem State 89, MIT 82
 
- Records: MIT (2-5); Salem State (2-5)
 
- Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Rockwell Cage)
 
- The Lead: Despite five players in double figures, the MIT men's basketball team dropped an 89-82 final to visiting Salem State University on Tuesday night at Rockwell Cage. The win was the first for the Vikings in the all-time series since the 2015-16 season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- Neither team led by more than four points over the opening 12 minutes as the two teams were tied at 30-30 with 7:42 remaining in the first half. The Engineers went back in front by a 35-34 margin after a layup from first-year Parker Spann (Omaha, Neb.) at the 4:25 mark before the Vikings closed the period strong on a 16-4 run. Highlighting the scoring spurt were baskets from five different Vikings, including the final eight points of the half that was capped by a layup from Juvens Louis.
 
- Salem State extended the lead out to 14 early in the second after a three from Jaden Castillo before MIT came roaring back with a rally of its own. The hosts got within single digits behind four straight points from Spann and moved within seven at 60-53 after a layup from sophomore Kade Killeen (Austin, Texas). The run eventually got to 17-3 over a span of 5:42, capped by a three-pointer from MIT sophomore Spencer Lin (Menlo Park, Calif.) that tied the game for the sixth time at 62-62.
 
- At the 8:05 mark, Jarret Byrne gave Salem State the lead back on a three-pointer and the Vikings continued to maintain a one-possession lead over the next five minutes. A jumper by Castillo gave the visitors the 81-76 edge and Salem State closed the game strong for the seven-point final.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- First-year Rome Delgado-Gonzalez (Miami, Fla.) led the Engineers with a 29-point, 16-rebound double-double as he finished a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line. First-year Tim Minicozzi (Belmont, Mass.) added 17 points, along with 12 points from Lin and 11 from Killeen. Spann led the bench with an 11-point effort in 16 minutes of play.
 
- Connor Byrne paced Salem State with a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double as he added two assists and one block. Castillo and Chris MacDonald each posted a team-high 19 points, along with 17 points and eight boards from Byrne.
 
- As a team, Salem State outshot MIT from the field and from three-point land, while the Engineers shot 84.2 percent from the free throw line. The Vikings also held a 47-33 rebounding advantage, including a 36-25 edge on the defensive glass.
 
- MIT forced 17 Salem State turnovers and picked up 15 assists on 30 made field goals.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- MIT is back in action on Thursday, December 1st as the Engineers host Emmanuel College for a 7 p.m. start in Rockwell Cage.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
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