THE BASICS 

Score: Emerson 54, MIT 44

Records: Emerson Lions (9-5 2-1 NEWMAC) ; MIT Engineers (8-6, 1-2 NEWMAC)

Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Rockwell Cage)

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2020

The Lead: It was a win over at the Cage for the Emerson men's basketball team behind a 16-point night from senior Jack O'Connor (Newport, R.I.) alongside a double-double effort of 13 points and and 12 boards by sophomore Jarred Houston (Norwood, Mass.) to push the Lions to a 54-44 NEWMAC triumph over MIT on Wednesday night. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

EMERSON

Points: O'Connor (16) & Houston (13) 
Assists: O'Connor (3)
Rebounds: Houston (12)
Steals: Trevor McLean & O'Connor (3)
Blocks: Houston (4)

MIT

Points: Matas Masys (14) 
Assists: Kael Kordonowy & Christien Williams (2)
Rebounds: Ian Hinkley (12)
Steals: Tim Kostonlansky, Masys & Muna Nwana (1)
Blocks: Hinkley, Dan Pilsbury & Nwana (1)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Emerson got off to a fast start and kept MIT to a seven-point deficit with 12:57 left in the opening half at 17-10 before the Engineers embarked on a quick 7-0 spurt to knot the game as Masys knocked down a triple.
• The Lions found themselves falling behind and suddenly trailed by six (32-26) at the 3:57 mark before the half's end on another three by Masys, yet the visitors overcame the six-point margin to bang out a 10-2 run as the score held at 36-all to wrap the first frame.
• Emerson held MIT scoreless within the first 9:44 minutes of the second stanza before a jumper pulled the Engineers within eight (46-38). 
• O'Connor connected on a jumper to push Emerson's lead into double figures at 48-38 before MIT erased the lead down to six with 5:17 left on the clock (48-42). 
• Strong defense by the Lions was able to contain the Engineers and hold the hosts over the remaining five minutes to seal the 10-point triumph.

UP NEXT

• Emerson returns back home for a NEWMAC Semifinal rematch against the No. 19 Springfield on Saturday, January 18 at 3:00 p.m. 
• MIT treks to Wheaton (Mass.) for Saturday NEWMAC action as well with a 1:00 p.m. tip-off. 

STAY LIVE WITH THE LIONS 

• Stay updated with the Emerson men's basketball team and follow the Lions on Twitter, Facebook at Emerson College Men's Basketball as well as Instagram. Also be sure to tune into Emerson Channel Sports to catch the Lions in action!