NORTON, Mass. – A big second half for Wheaton helped the hosts pull away as the MIT men's basketball team dropped a 78-61 decision to the Lyons in NEWMAC play on Wednesday night at Emerson Gymnasium in Norton.
The Engineers held a 31-26 lead at halftime, but Wheaton managed to outscore the visitors by a 52-30 margin in the second half.
Junior
Parker Spann (Omaha, Neb.) led three MIT players in double figures with 16 points.
THE BASICS:
- Score: Wheaton 78, MIT 61
- Records: MIT (8-11, 2-8 NEWMAC), Wheaton (10-9, 5-5 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- MIT came racing out of the gates and used a dunk from Spann to take a 12-5 lead with 13:56 to play in the first half.
- Wheaton was able to battle back with a 13-6 run which resulted in an 18-all deadlock following a pair of free throws at the 7:10 mark.
- The Engineers were able to limit the Lyons to just four points over the final four minutes of (the opening stanza and a pair of free throws from first year Jackson Weiland (Medford, Ore.) opened up a 31-26 advantage at the half.
- Nine straight points for Wheaton began the scoring in the second half and the hosts took a 35-31 lead with 16:04 remaining. However, the Engineers quickly answered and fought back within one at 37-36 after a three-point play from junior Rome Delgado-Gonzalez (Miami, Fla.)
- MIT continued to remain within striking distance and trailed 47-43 with 9:52 to play following a three from senior Spencer Lin (Menlo Park, Calif.)
- The Lyons continued to hold the lead and owned a 58-52 advantage at the 5:06 mark when Dimetri Iafrate sank a three which kickstarted a 20-9 run over the final five plus minutes.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Spann led the Engineers with 16 points and was joined in double figures by Delgado-Gonzalez who had 14 points (10-of-10 FT) and Lin who added 13 points to go along with a team-high eight boards.
- Spann has now scored 10 or more points in six straight games and eight of his last nine.
- Tristan Herry led five Wheaton players in double figures with 19 points, while Iafrate and Eoin Morrissey had 16 apiece.
- MIT shot 37.5% (18-of-48) from the field and the Lyons checked in at 42.1 (24-of-57).
- The Engineers held a 36-34 edge on the glass behind eight from Lin and seven from Delgado-Gonzalez.
UP NEXT:
- MIT hosts Salve Regina on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM, while Wheaton heads to Springfield for a 1:00 PM contest.
STAY CONNECTED:
