Springfield, Mass. - February 4, 2015 - The Springfield College men's basketball used a tremendous defensive effort as it handled visiting MIT, 66-38, in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action on Wednesday in Blake Arena.

Winners of five-straight, Springfield improved to 14-6, 6-3 in league play, while MIT had its three-game winning streak snapped as it dropped to 14-6, 7-2.

Sean Martin (Rindge, N.H.) was sensational in the victory for Springfield, tallying 19 points, seven assists, six steals, and four rebounds, while Josh Altman (Rockport, Mass.) came off the bench to pump in 14 points.  Josh Downes (East Sandwich, Mass.) added 10 points and Larry Piretra (Oakland, N.J.) hauled in a game-high nine boards.

Going up against one of the top defensive basketball teams in Division III, the Pride shot 49.1% from the floor, connecting on 28-of-57 from the field.  Springfield forced the visitors in 19 turnovers, which resulted in 24 points for the Pride. 

MIT, which scored its second-fewest points of the season, was limited to just 35.1% shooting from the field (13-for-37).  Spencer Rust (Alamo, Calif.) was the only player to reach double figures with 10 points off the bench.  Matt Redfield (Los Altos, Calif.) chipped in seven rebounds, six points, and five blocks.

Martin did it all for the Pride to start the game, scoring its first 10 points and finishing in transition just over seven minutes into the contest to give the hosts a 10-9 advantage.

After Tim Butala (Monroe, Conn.) canned a jumper for MIT to make it a 14-11 contest, the Pride broke the first half open with a 16-3 push over a nearly eight-minute span to snag a 30-14 lead.  Altman was dynamic is the surge for the hosts, netting seven points off the bench.   Martin capped off his half by racing the length of the court in the final seconds and finishing an acrobatic layup at the buzzer to send the Pride into the half with a 34-18.

The 18 points were the second-fewest points the Pride allowed in the opening 20 minutes of a game this year.

MIT battled back within 12 following a Rust jumper to make it a 38-26 contest with 16:16 left in regulation. However, Springfield put together another run to seal the win as it scored 20 of the game's next 25 points over an 11-plus minute span to earn a 58-31 lead following a Martin putback.  The Pride controlled the paint throughout, outscoring the visitors, 38-14 in the game, 14 of which came during the second-half surge.

The Pride will wrap up its four-game homestand on Saturday when it hosts Wheaton at 2:00 pm.