Strong Start Leads Tartans to 87-65 Season-Opening Victory

(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team opened the season with an 87-65 victory on the road against Geneva College, Tuesday, November 17. Junior Jack Serbin (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) exploded for a career-high 37 points to lead the Tartans who had three players grab double-digit rebounds.

A 15-1 run to start the game was all the Tartans needed as they led from start to finish. The Tartans crashed the defensive boards and held the Golden Tornadoes to 15.4% shooting in the first half to carry a 33-21 lead into the locker room. Serbin had 13 first half points while freshman Patrick Ehland (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) nearly had a first half double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

While the Tartans shot 36.1% in the first half, they were even better in the second, dropping in 52.9% from the floor. They also converted 14-of-18 second half free throws.

Carnegie Mellon controlled the paint both offensively and defensively with 42 points in the paint while holding the Golden Tornadoes to 18 points inside. The Tartans also scored 16 second-chance points off 10 offensive rebounds and out-rebounded their opponent 56-37.

Serbin finished the game shooting 53.8% and made a career-high 14 baskets. He also grabbed 15 rebounds for his 18th career double-double. Ehland came off the bench to record a double-double in his first collegiate game with 14 points and 10 rebounds while senior Blake Chasen (Chevy Chase, Md./Phillips Exeter (N.H.)) pulled down a career-high 10 boards and dished out a team and career-high four assists. Sophomore Ryan Maha (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) also delivered from the floor with 13 points.

The Tartans will next play at home against Bethany College at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 21.