Posted: Dec 03, 2022
WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University sophomore Caitlin Gresko (Howell, N.J./Howell) posted a pair of career-highs with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but the Judges couldn't hold off a rally by visiting MIT, who overcame a 12-point first-half deficit to take a 71-67 victory in Red Auerbach Arena today.
TEAM RECORDS
- Brandeis, 2-6.
- MIT, 3-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Judges got off to a strong start, outscoring MIT 14-4 in the first quarter. Brandeis held the visitors to just 2-for-23 from the field in the stanza.
- The teams were even in the second period, with MIT edging Brandeis, 18-16, in the quarter. The Judges took a 30-22 lead into the half thanks to a balanced attack, with four of their five starters each scoring six points.
- MIT battled back in the third quarter, outscoring Brandeis 19-11 thanks to their first two 3-pointers of the game and a 10-5 rebounding advantage. The visitors took their first lead at 35-33 on a jumper by Alice Hall with 4:04 left in the third.
- With the teams even headed into the fourth quarter, the game featured five ties and seven lead changes in the final 10 minutes and OT.
- Brandeis took a 58-57 lead with 43.1 seconds left on a lay-up by junior Lulu Ohm (Waltham, Mass./Waltham).
- MIT had a chance to win it in regulation on a pair of Kamsi Nwogo free throws with 20.9 seconds to go. She hit the first but missed the second, and even though the visitors got the rebound, they were whistled for a traveling violation with 5.5 seconds left. Brandeis was unable to convert on the ensuing in-bounds play, forcing the extra session.
- The Engineers scored the first three points of OT, but Brandeis senior Tathiana Pierre (Jericho, N.Y. / Sacred Heart Academy) eluded some taller defenders to knot things at 61-all with 2:51 left.
- MIT answered with buckets by Angie Choi and Nwogo to establish their first two-possession lead, 65-61, with 56 seconds remaining. The game came down to free throws the rest of the way, and the Engineers were able to hit enough to emerge with the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Gresko notched her first collegiate double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
- She had 14 points and seven boards in the second half and overtime.
- Gresko shot 4-of-11 from the field, 1-of-4 from 3-point range, and 11-of-12 from the line.
- Senior Francesca Marchese (Staten Island, N.Y./Staten Island Academy) added nine points on three 3-pointers.
- Six different players contributed to a 18-11 bench scoring advantage for the Judges.
- MIT was paced by Nwogu's game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds that matched Gresko. Choi added 16 points and a game-high seven assists and Paula Pieper had 15 points, including the Engineers' only two 3-pointers.
- Brianna Lebrun grabbed nine rebounds as the Engineers won the battle of the boards, 50-45, including 36-20 after halftime.
UP NEXT
- Brandeis is at Eastern Nazarene College on Tuesday at 5 p.m. to close out the fall semester.
- MIT hosts Maine Maritime tomorrow at 2 p.m.