Tartans Finish Season with Come-From-Behind Victory

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Senior Joe Kromka (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) had a career game to finish his career as a Tartan, leading the Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team to a 72-69 come-from-behind win at home against Case Western Reserve University. The Tartans finish the year with a 9-16 overall mark and 4-10 record in University Athletic Association (UAA) play. The Spartans end the year with a 10-15 and 2-12 mark.

The Tartans started the game with an 8-1 run behind a dunk by Kromka and a three-pointer each by sophomores Christian Manoli (San Rafael, Calif./Terra Linda) and Sean Brophy (Blue Bell, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep). They held the lead until a three-pointer by Dane McLoughlin tied the game at 16-16 with 11:22 to play in the period.

Case Western took its first lead of the game with 10:02 showing when Robert Scott hit a jumper in the paint for the 18-17 advantage. Scott's jumper fueled a 9-0 run for the Spartans that extended to a 21-7 dash and a 13-point lead for the visitors, 37-24, with 3:34 to go in the half.

Manoli scored five of his 12 first-half points to finish the period bringing the Tartans within single digits before Austin Fowler hit a jumper as time expired to help Case to a 41-31 lead.

Case held on to the lead all the way until 53 seconds showed on the clock when the Tartans climbed back from 13 down to take a one-point lead, 68-67, on an and-one play by senior John Duhring (Round Hill, Va./Saint Maria Goretti).

Sophomore Asad Meghani (Carrollton, Texas/Greenhill School) started the 22-8 run with a three-pointer off an assist from sophomore Rashaun Riley (Houston, Texas/Cypress Creek). Kromka scored 12 of the 22 points for the Tartans including two three-pointers and a fastbreak dunk.

After Duhring's three-point play, Case took back the lead with two free throws by Jordan Dean.

Riley would then convert the final basket of the game on a layup with 20 seconds to go giving the Tartans a 70-69 lead.

The Spartans had three opportunities in the closing seconds but couldn't convert as Kromka iced the game with two free throws in the last second.

Kromka finished the game with a career-high 22 points while Manoli and Riley each finished with 13 points. Kromka and Brophy each pulled down eight rebounds to lead the team as Meghani dished out five assists.

Case was led by Fowler's 16 points and seven rebounds as Person finished with 14 points and McLoughlin scored 14 and pulled down nine boards.