Motta, Connor Lead Men's Basketball to 82-70 Win over #19 MIT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Nicholas Motta poured in 24 second-half points and Bridgewater State pressured MIT into 27 turnovers during an 82-70 win for the visiting Bears in non-conference men's basketball action on Monday night at Rockwell Cage.

The Bears (6-4) scored 52 points over the final 20 minutes to hand the number 19 ranked team in Division III its second straight defeat.

Motta finished with 26 points on 10 of 13 shooting to go along with four steals.  He was also 3-for-3 from behind the arc and 3-for-3 at the line.  Corey Connor added 20 points while Samuel Johnson had eight points to go along with a team-high 14 boards.  Judah Jackson chipped in with 11 points and a game-high seven assists.

Mitchell Kates and Jamie Karraker combined for 44 points for the Engineers, but they could not overcome the swarming Bridgewater defense, falling to 9-3 on the year.

The Engineers held a 41-30 advantage at the intermission and led by nine early in the second half when Motta single-handedly accounted for 10 points during a 14-3 Bridgewater run.  Motta capped the spurt with a three-pointer at 14:32, giving the Bears a 48-46 advantage. The teams would trade baskets over the next five and a half minutes, with a Will Tashman foul shot putting Tech on top, 53-52, with just under nine minutes to go. However, Connor responded with one of his five triples on the night to give Bridgewater State a lead it would not relinquish.

Trailing by eight with five and a half to go, Kates and Karraker went on their own 7-0 run over the next 1:05 to bring the Cardinal and Gray back within one. Karraker started with a three-ball and Kates added a pair of free throws and a driving lay-up to close the gap to 65-64 with 4:33 remaining. Motta would answer back with a running jumper in the paint and Billy Bender was unable to connect from long-distance at the other end. Another basket by Motta and a three-pointer from Connor extended the visitors lead to eight with 2:38 to go. Karraker had one final look from three but was off the mark and Tashman was unable to save the loose ball rebound. Motta's trifecta on the ensuing possession would seal the Engineers' fate.

Kates paced MIT with 24 points, on eight-of-12 shooting and four assists while Karraker hit four three-pointers on his way to a 20-point effort. Tashman led the way with 14 rebounds.

The Engineers shot well from the field when they were able to get past the Bridgewater State press. Tech connected on 53.3% of its attempts, including 9-of-17 from behind the arc. However, its 27 turnovers led to 24 Bridgewater State points.

The Bears, who shot 50% from the floor, knocked down an impressive 8 of 11 three-pointers (73%) and connected on 18 of 20 free throws attempts (90%).

MIT will look to bounce back on Wednesday, January 5 when it hosts Tufts University at 8:00 p.m. Bridgewater State returns to action Saturday, January 8, opening up MASCAC play with a home game against Westfield State at 4:00 p.m.