Tartans Fall on Road to Randolph College, 73-70

(HUNTINGDON, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team traveled to Juniata College for the Doc Greene Tournament hosted by the Eagles and fell in the opening game to Randolph College, 73-70. The Tartans are now 4-3 on the year, while the Wildcats improve to 6-1.

The Tartans held a lead for nearly all of the first half and pushed it to as many as eight during the first 20 minutes on two different ocassions before leading 32-28 at the break.

Sophomore Thomas Cook (Baltimore, Md./Carver Arts & Tech.) drained a three-pointer with 1:43 to go in the half for the Tartans' second eight-point lead at 29-21. The Wildcats then pulled to within one-point with two free throws by Zach Desgain before sophomore Ryan Maha (West Mifflin, Pa./West Mifflin) connected on a traditional three-point play just before time expired for the Cardinal and Gray's four-point halftime edge.

The Tartans improved their three-point shooting in the second half, hitting seven of their season-high nine during that time. Senior Jason Sebak (New Kensington, Pa./Kiski Prep) started it with one out of the gate before the Wildcats used an 8-0 run to take their first lead since the 16-minute mark of the first half.

The teams traded hoops before the Tartans used their own 8-0 run to go ahead 45-40 with 15 minutes to play.

The lead changed hands seven more times before the Wildcats saw their name on top from the 4:32 mark on. The Tartans pulled within one after five made free throws on one possession but weren't able to take the lead as the Wildcats made five of their own free throws down the stretch to hold on for the win.

Junior Jack Serbin (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) led the Tartans with 16 points and 16 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Maha closed the game with 14 points while Sebak and junior Chris Shkil (Mentor, Ohio/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) both tallied 10.

The Tartans return to action on Saturday for their second game of the Doc Greene Tournament at 2:00 p.m. versus Penn State York.