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Slideshow: Men's basketball advances to NCAA Div. III Final Four

Engineers defeat Franklin & Marshall 69-54.
In MIT's first game of the weekend, senior guard Jamie Karraker made 7 of 10 three-pointers to help MIT overcome the College of Staten Island.
Caption:
In MIT's first game of the weekend, senior guard Jamie Karraker made 7 of 10 three-pointers to help MIT overcome the College of Staten Island.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
Junior guard Mitchell Kates established himself as one of the nation's premiere players: He was two assists shy of a triple-double in the first round, posted a double-double in the second, and scored 29 points to lift MIT past Staten Island in the third.
Caption:
Junior guard Mitchell Kates established himself as one of the nation's premiere players: He was two assists shy of a triple-double in the first round, posted a double-double in the second, and scored 29 points to lift MIT past Staten Island in the third.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
A key to the Staten Island game was MIT's solid team defense, which is ranked third in the nation in NCAA Division III. The Engineers held Staten Island to its lowest point total in 17 games in the weekend's first game.
Caption:
A key to the Staten Island game was MIT's solid team defense, which is ranked third in the nation in NCAA Division III. The Engineers held Staten Island to its lowest point total in 17 games in the weekend's first game.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
To make it to the Final Four, MIT first had to get past Franklin and Marshall College, which boasts the nation's best scoring defense and a roster of athletic players who slash their way to the rim. Here, F&M's Ed Early slips past seniors Dan McCue (#22) and Noel Hollingsworth for the dunk.
Caption:
To make it to the Final Four, MIT first had to get past Franklin and Marshall College, which boasts the nation's best scoring defense and a roster of athletic players who slash their way to the rim. Here, F&M's Ed Early slips past seniors Dan McCue (#22) and Noel Hollingsworth for the dunk.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
MIT's head coach Larry Anderson strategizes during a timeout with Karraker and Hollingsworth. In a battle of top defensive teams, MIT had the better night, holding Franklin & Marshall to its lowest point total of the season.
Caption:
MIT's head coach Larry Anderson strategizes during a timeout with Karraker and Hollingsworth. In a battle of top defensive teams, MIT had the better night, holding Franklin & Marshall to its lowest point total of the season.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
Franklin and Marshall's gym was packed with home-team supporters, but a small but vocal crowd of MIT alumni, parents and students traveled to Lancaster, Pa., to cheer on the Engineers.
Caption:
Franklin and Marshall's gym was packed with home-team supporters, but a small but vocal crowd of MIT alumni, parents and students traveled to Lancaster, Pa., to cheer on the Engineers.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
McCue made a crucial difference in both games over the weekend, stifling key players with his defense and making a critical three-pointer in the second half versus Franklin and Marshall.
Caption:
McCue made a crucial difference in both games over the weekend, stifling key players with his defense and making a critical three-pointer in the second half versus Franklin and Marshall.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
For the fourth game in a row, Kates ignited MIT's win. The guard turned in another stellar NCAA performance, frustrating Franklin and Marshall with 21 points, eight assists, three rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot.
Caption:
For the fourth game in a row, Kates ignited MIT's win. The guard turned in another stellar NCAA performance, frustrating Franklin and Marshall with 21 points, eight assists, three rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
With the victory, the Engineers advance to their first appearance in the NCAA Division III Final Four in the program's 112-year history — much to the delight of MIT professor Kim Vandiver, the team's faculty mentor.
Caption:
With the victory, the Engineers advance to their first appearance in the NCAA Division III Final Four in the program's 112-year history — much to the delight of MIT professor Kim Vandiver, the team's faculty mentor.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
Junior Will Tashman takes his turn cutting down the net after the game.
Caption:
Junior Will Tashman takes his turn cutting down the net after the game.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
The MIT Men's Basketball Team will face the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater next weekend in the tournament semifinals in Salem, Va.
Caption:
The MIT Men's Basketball Team will face the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater next weekend in the tournament semifinals in Salem, Va.
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty
MIT spelled from pieces of the net cut down by the team
Caption:
MIT spelled from pieces of the net cut down by the team
Credits:
Photo: Tom Gearty

The MIT men's basketball team achieved a new level of program success on Saturday night, defeating Franklin & Marshall College, 69-54, to advance the NCAA Division III Final Four for the first time in the 112-year history of the program. The Engineers (29-1) used great defense and timely shooting to down the host Diplomats and move on the national semifinals, which will be held in Salem, Va., next weekend.

Junior Mitchell Kates (Colts Neck, N.J.) continued his outstanding NCAA tournament run, scoring 21 points to go along with eight assists, three rebounds and three steals. Senior Jamie Karraker (Morgantown, W.Va.) had 17 points on five-of-10 shooting from deep and added six caroms. Senior Noel Hollingsworth (Salt Lake City, Utah) added 14 points and a team-high nine boards.

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