WORCESTER, Mass. -- A layup with five seconds left by senior Bruce Saintilus (Plainville, Mass.) sent Clark University past the MIT men's basketball team, 73-71, in a tightly contested NEWMAC matchup at Hurst Courts on Saturday. Saintilus led all individuals with 23 points, including a trio of threes. The Engineers were led by 21 points from junior Parker Spann (Omaha, Neb.) and 15 points and four steals from classmate Tim Minicozzi (Belmont, Mass.).
 
THE BASICS:

• Score: Clark 73, MIT 71
• Records: MIT (8-8 Overall, 2-5 NEWMAC), Clark (9-7 Overall, 5-2 NEWMAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The game began defensively, with Clark up 6-4 after five minutes of play.
• MIT took its first lead of the day at 13:05 on a layup from sophomore Merlin Gogolin (New York, N.Y.).
• The lead continued to switch hands for large portions of the first half, with neither team up more than a possession.
• A late 9-0 run put Clark ahead 35-27 with a bit over two minutes left in the half. The Engineers countered with the final nine points of the frame, securing a one-point advantage after 20 minutes of play.
• MIT's margin swelled to six five minutes into the second half. The Cougars evened the contest at 50-50 with 12:22 on the clock with a Saintilus three.
• Once again, both teams alternated slim leads, unable to go up by more than three points. This led to a 71-71 ball game with 59 seconds to go.
• An MIT turnover with 18 seconds remaining set up the final basket by Saintilus. A shot by  Minicozzi at the buzzer was unsuccessful as Clark held on for the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Both teams shot over 50% for the game. MIT went 27-of-52 (51.9%) from the floor, connecting on 9-of-17 (52.9%) threes. The Cougars hit 28-of-53 (52.8%) total shots, benefitting from 40 points in the paint.
• The lead changed 14 times with 12 total ties.
• Spann and Minicozzi were joined in double figures by Gogolin and senior Kade Kileen (Austin, Texas). Gogolin led MIT with five assists.
• MIT won the rebound battle, 31-26.

UP NEXT:

• The Engineers return home to host WPI at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 21. The Cougars travel to Springfield College for a 7:00 PM game on Thursday, January 23.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For the latest on MIT Athletics, follow the Engineers on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.