CAMBIRDGE, Mass. - Joe Chatman (Boston, Mass.) poured in a game high 32 points and added a game high 8 assists, but it wasn't enough as MIT defeated Lesley University 80-79, ruining Lesley's 2006 home opener.
MIT got a solid performance out of their big man Erich Bracht (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) who scored 25 points and grabbed a game high 22 rebounds. Bracht was an absolute force in the first half as he had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the first 20 minutes. Bracht got a lot of support on the glass from teammate Jimmy Bartolotta (Littleton, Colo.) who grabbed 10 boards for the game and chipped in with a team best 26 points.
MIT dominated the glass out rebounding Lesley 52-36 and a large part of that was due to Bracht and Bartolotta.
It was a very strange night for the Lynx basketball team. Despite shooting over 48% from the floor in the first half Lesley trailed by six at halftime. In the second half Lesley shot a meager 28% from the floor yet they managed to come back and grab the lead with seven seconds left.
Lesley was out rebounded and was out shot yet there athleticism and incredible defense was the reason that they were able to stay in the game. Lesley forced 32 MIT turnovers, 18 in the second half. The defensive effort was led by Chatman who had a game high 7 steals and Stanley Chamblain (Everett, Mass.) who had 5.
Lesley was trailing by five with 01:14 left when Fran Cusick (Lexington, Mass.) buried his only shot of the game to bring the Lynx to within 2. MIT answered back as Bradley Gampel (Miami, Fla.) nailed one of two from the foul line to put MIT back up three. Then it was Chatman hit both free throws with 00:37 remaining to bring Lesley to within 1.
Lesley used tenacious defensive to force a ten seconds call against MIT to get the ball back. Once again it was Chatman who hit two more free throws (9-9 for the game) to give the Lynx a one point lead. MIT did not give up and following a highly disputed blocking foul on Mark Stevens (Las Vegas, Nev.) Bartolotta nailed two free throws to give MIT the win.
James Parker (Sandwich, Mass.) hit 4-9 from downtown and finished with 16 points and tied Chamblain for the team high in rebounds with 7. Stevens finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Lynx are back in action Friday, December 1st when they host Maine Maritime Academy. For more information on the Lesley men's basketball team please go to their website.