Men’s Basketball Falls 92-84 to Washington U.

Men’s Basketball Falls 92-84 to Washington U.

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team continued University Athletic Association (UAA) play on Sunday, January 17 and dropped a 92-84 contest to the Bears of Washington University on the hardwood of Skibo Gymnasium.  The setback puts the Tartans record at 7-7, 0-3 while the Bears improve to 10-4, 2-1.

Over the first six minutes of play, the lead changed four times with the last in favor of the Tartans on a three-pointer by junior Jack Serbin (New Albany, Ohio) to make the score 12-11.  Midway through the half, Carnegie Mellon scored 12 straight points to claim its largest lead of the first frame at 32-16.  During the stretch, five different Tartans scored with junior James Ormond's (Piedmont, Calif.) long ball completing the run.

Carnegie Mellon maintained its double-digit lead the remainder of the half and took a 48-35 advantage into the locker room.  In the first half, the Tartans shot 50.0% from the floor to the Bears 35.1% while Serbin scored 15 points while converting all six of his attempts from the foul line.  

WashU opened the second half with an 11-2 run over the first three minute to close the gap to 50-46. The Tartans answered scoring seven straight points, five coming from senior Blake Chasen (Chevy Chase, Md./Phillips Exeter (N.H.)), to regain a double-digit advantage.

The Tartans led 61-51 with 14:04 to play in the contest before the Bears scored 13 unanswered points over the next five minutes to claim a three-point lead, but a trey by Serbin to end the run knotted the score at 64-64 with 8:45 to play. On the Bears ensuing possession down the court, a jumper by David Schmelter gave the lead right back to visitors and it was one they never lost.  The Bears converted 10-of-12 free throws over the last 1:39 to seal the victory.

Carnegie Mellon finished shooting 44.3% from the floor while the Bears shot 45.6%, including 58.1% over the last 20 minutes of play.  Both teams shot the rock well from the foul line with the Tartans converting 22-of-25 (88.0%) and the Bears made 24-of-29 (82.8%), which are season-bests for both teams.

Serbin was perfect from the charity strip making all 10 of his attempts.  The junior finished with a game-high 28 points to go with his 13 rebounds to record his eighth double-double of the season.  Sophomore Ryan Maha (West Mifflin, Pa.) ended with 10 points.

Kevin Kucera led the Bears with 21 points while Andrew Sanders scored 20 and Clinton hooks and Luke Silverman-Lloyd each had 15.

Carnegie Mellon begins a four-game road trip on Friday, January 22 with an 8:00 p.m. contest in Atlanta, Georgia against the Eagles of Emory University.