By Jessica Man

The Cabot Gym was filled with fans supporting Midnight Madness Friday night, a kickoff to the men’s and women’s basketball season. The event consisted of basketball games, free giveaways, music and a showcase of halftime talent.

The event welcomed guests with free T-shirts, pizza and raffles.

The kickoff was a 24-minute basketball game posing faculty and staff against students. At half time, the faculty and staff team was leading the students, 27-26. They maintained the advantage over the students, winning 46-42.

During the break, the crowd was entertained with a competitive double dutch competition. The Triple D’s, a jump rope squad from Dorchester made up of youngsters, displayed their skills. They completed three different performances: compulsory, speed and freestyle double dutching.

Four contestants competed for a Caribbean trip giveaway by making a lay up, a free throw and a three-point-shot in the allotted time of 25 seconds. The Athletic Department awarded vouchers for the Carribean getaway to three of the contestants.

At around 11:32 p.m. the night’s center of attention finally graced the basketball court. The men’s and women’s basketball teams ran through colorful banners as they threw rolled up T-shirts into the crowd and each player was introduced by year.

There was also a slam dunk contest and a short scrimmage by the men’s basketball team.

-Correspondent Jessica Man