BABSON PARK, Mass. – The Babson College men's basketball team fought hard in an attempt to overcome a 26-point second-half deficit, but the Beavers eventually fell to the nationally-ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers, 69-53, in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest at Babson's Staake Gymnasium on Wednesday.

Ranked 23rd in the nation by D3hoops.com, MIT improved to 17-4 overall and 8-2 in league play, while Babson slipped to 11-12 overall and 3-7 in the NEWMAC.

MIT raced out to a 22-5 lead in the first eight minutes of play, thanks to eight early points from first-year Justin Pedley (Stone Mountain, Ga.). Babson eventually pulled to within nine after a three-point play by senior Russell Braithwaite (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and a jumper by sophomore John Wickey (Manchester, N.H.) made it 27-18 with seven minutes to go in the period, but the Engineers later closed the half with eight straight points en route to a 43-24 lead at the break.

The visitors' lead surged to 26 less than three minutes into the second half, but the stubborn Beavers chipped away and eventually pulled to within 16 after a steal and a thunderous breakaway dunk by Braithwaite that cut it to 58-42 with 11 minutes left. Babson later got to within 11 on a pair of occasions, including a 62-51 deficit after another Braithwaite bucket with 4:21 to play, but MIT would allow just two free throws the rest of the way to hold on for the 69-53 victory.

The Beavers were led by an inspired performance from Braithwaite, who shot 7-for-15 for 15 points to go with five rebounds. First-year Travis Sheldon (Woodstock, N.Y.) added a sterling effort at both ends of the court, finishing with 12 points, and junior Kenny Ross (Furlong, Pa.) added eight points and five assists while holding Engineers' star guard Mitchell Kates (Colts Neck, N.J.) to 10 points and only three helpers.

Hampered by foul trouble all night long, Wickey was limited to just eight points and no rebounds in only 24 minutes of play, but senior captain Peter Foley (Wells, Maine) and junior Matt Palazini (Franklin, Mass.) helped pick up the slack by combining for 13 caroms in defeat.

Senior Will Tashman (Atherton, Calif.) led all players with 17 points to go with five boards for MIT, while Pedley and sophomore Matt Redfield (Los Altos, Calif.) each added 11 points. Redfield pulled down a game-high nine rebounds and blocked three shots for the Engineers, and Kates grabbed six caroms to go with his 10 points.

GAME NOTES: This was the 65th meeting between Babson and MIT, dating back to the 1951-52 season. Despite tonight's loss, the Beavers still hold a 44-21 edge in the all-time series.