Tartans Fall 66-51 in Opening Round of the 2011 PNC Monarch Classic

(WILKES-BARRE, Pa.) – In the opening match up of the 2011 PNC Monarch Classic hosted by King's College, Carnegie Mellon University's men's basketball team fell to Susquehanna Friday night 66-51.  The Tartans are now 3-5 while the Crusaders move to 3-4.

The Tartans allowed the Crusaders to jump out early to an 18-5 lead over the first seven minutes of the game.  Susquehanna held the lead throughout the rest of the game to advance to the championship game.

Leading the way for Carnegie Mellon was senior forward Joe Kromka (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway).  The senior ended the nigh with a career-high 19 points and added six rebounds.

The Crusaders balanced attack hurt the Tartans as they had five players score eight or more points.  J.T. Wilson and Spenser Spencer led way with 11 and 10, respectively.
    
In the second half, Carnegie Mellon narrowed the deficit to 13, on a 7-0 run for the Cardinal and Gray. Sophomore Asad Meghani (Carrollton, Texas/Greenhill School) hit a three-pointer, his second of the game, with 4:38 left to make the score 58-45.  Meghani finished the day two for five from three-point range with a total of six points.

After shooting 27% from the floor in the second half, Carnegie Mellon ended the game shooting 39.6% to the Crusaders 42.9%.  Susquehanna held the edge on the glass 35-29.
    
Carnegie Mellon will face the loser Penn State - Harrisburg and the host King's College on Saturday at 1:00 pm.