SWARTHMORE, Pa. – MIT hit eight of its first 10 three–point field goal attempts on the way to a 90-67 win over Skidmore College in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament Friday evening at Swarthmore College.

It was the sixth NCAA tournament appearance for the Thoroughbreds who finish 19-8. The 12^th ranked Engineers are 23-7.

Noah Meren led the Skidmore with 25 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Edvinas Rupkus closed out his career with a double/double. He scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds to go along with two assists. Chase Ta wrapped his career with 10 points and six assists.

MIT had all five starters in double figures led by Tim Roberts with 28 points and 21 rebounds. Aj Jurko had 26 points and seven assists, while Bradley Jomard added 12 points and seven assists.

MIT hit its first four three-point attempts to go up 16-8 at the first time out. Skidmore got it back to six, 24-18 with three chances to cut it to four, but the Engineers held and went on a 20-8 run to open up a 44-26 lead with 2:09 left. The Thoroughbreds made it a 15-point game at the half on a Chase Ta steal that led to a Meren lay-up.

While MIT shot a blistering 6-8 (.750) from three-point range, Skidmore went 2-11 (.182).

Skidmore made an early run to start the second half, pulling to within 10 49-39 at the 17:30 mark. The Engineers responded with an 11-0 run and 60-39 lead with 13:50 remaining, extending it to 65-41 with 11:56 to play.

The Thoroughbreds weren't going to go quietly, using a 16-4 run to get within 12, 69-57. Rupkus keyed the rally with seven points, while Meren had four and Jack Byrne hit a long three. MIT recovered and outscored the Thoroughbreds 21-10 the rest of the way for the 90-67 win.

" I have to tip my cap to MIT, they played great tonight and were the deserving winner," said Skidmore coach Joe Burke. "They are a team that battled injuries on season but had all their pieces & three really good seniors tonight.

"As for our group, I am incredibly proud. We didn't have our A game today but at the end of the day this team dramatically improved throughout the year and had an incredible run. Losing an NCAA tournament game to a really good opponent does not take away from a tremendous season for us."

It was the final game for seniors Rupkus, Gallagher, Byrne, Charlie Williams, and Ta. Rupkus finishes his record setting career with a program record 2128 points. He ranks third all-time with 701 rebounds. Ta is third on the assist list with 351. Byrne is second all-time with 203 three-point field goals. 

"To my seniors, you guys gave me everything you had and were a joy to Coach," Burke added. "You helped take  this program to another level.

"For our young guys who got a ton of experience in big situations it was a opportunity to learn, grow and it will bode well for us in the future."