Babson used outstanding man-to-man defense to force 15 turnovers in the first half, as the Beavers built a 29-24 lead at the break. Babson then maintained a slim lead throughout most of the second half, and still held a 66-61 advantage with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. However, MIT junior tri-captain Adam Gibbons (Bridgewater, N.J.) capped off a spectacular 14-point second half with a huge three-pointer with 18.4 seconds on the clock and, after Babson senior co-captain Luke Weber (Highland Mills, N.Y.) hit one of two free throws, sophomore Phil Murray (Winchester, Mass.) drained another clutch three from the top of the key to tie the game at 67-67.
Each team had a chance to win with 2.2 seconds left in regulation, but both turned the ball over on inbounds passes. Weber did manage to get off a desperation shot from half court as the buzzer sounded, but the attempt missed wide right as contest went to overtime tied at 67-67.
The Engineers took their only lead of the extra session in the first 40 seconds, as Gibbons was fouled underneath and sank a pair of free throws. Enere then answered for Babson, as he nailed a three-pointer from the left wing to ignite a 7-2 run that gave the Beavers a 74-71 advantage with 2:21 remaining.
After Gibbons sank the second of two free throws to pull MIT back to within two, Enere drove the lane and hit a remarkable scoop shot in traffic, giving Babson a 76-72 lead with 1:39 left to play. Senior tri-captain Andrew Tsai (Pittsburgh, Pa.) responded once again for the Engineers, knocking down his fifth trifecta of the game off a screen with 52 seconds remaining, cutting his team’s deficit back to one, 76-75.
On Babson’s next possession, Enere drove the left side of the lane and connected on another lay-up, drawing a foul with 27.2 seconds to go. The junior guard missed the ensuing free throw, and Murray collected the rebound for the Engineers, who now trailed 78-75. Sophomore Mike D’Auria (Newton, Mass.) then attempted to drive the right side of the lane, but Hines stripped it for his sixth steal of the contest. After being fouled on the break, the senior guard sank both free throws, putting the Beavers in front, 80-65. Gibbons would hit a lay-up at the buzzer for MIT, but it was not enough to prevent the 80-77 Babson victory.
Weber finished with 17 points for Babson, while Enere, Hines, and junior Dan Elliman (Tewksbury, Mass.) each added 16 points apiece. Elliman also grabbed a team-high five rebounds, while Enere led all players with five assists.
Gibbons was outstanding in defeat for MIT, scoring a game-high 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Tsai added 17 points, as he hit 5-of-11 from long range, and D’Auria chipped in with 10. Murray pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds, including six off the offensive glass.