Watson’s Free Throws Seal Tartans Overtime Win at Hobart

Watson’s Free Throws Seal Tartans Overtime Win at Hobart

(GENEVA, N.Y.) - Sophomore Zach Watson's (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) free throws with six second remaining in overtime sealed a 70-69 road victory for the Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team at Hobart College Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Tartans record to 3-6 while the Statesmen are now 3-5.

Carnegie Mellon finished the game shooting 39.7% (27-68) from the floor while Hobart converted 41.3% (26-63) of its shots. The Cardinal and Gray relied on 35 points from its bench while the Statesmen managed 13 points from their reserves. Sophomore Joey Krempa (Linden, N.J.) led a trio of Tartans in double figures with a career-best 15 points to lead all bench scorers. Juniors Zach Howarth (Freehold, N.J./St. John Vianney) and Trent Suddeth (Winter Park, Fla./Trinity Prep) each chipped in with 10 points.

For the seventh time this season, Carnegie Mellon held the advantage on the glass hauling down 45 rebounds to Hobarts 38. Suddeth led the visitor's with eight boards while junior Colin McNeil (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional) and sophomore Ethan Miller (King of Prussia, Pa./Upper Merion) each grabbed seven. McNeil finished the game handing out a season-best seven assists in the win.

Edens Fleurizard led Hobart with a double-double, as the junior scored a 10 points and grabbed a game-best 10 rebounds. Tucker Lesure scored 22 and Colin Dougherty added 10 for the Statesmen.

During a six-minute span in first half, Carnegie Mellon used a 14-0 run to take a 20-9 lead with just under eight minutes to play. During the run, the Tartans converted 5-of-10 from the floor, including long balls from Krempa and sophomore Daniel Weiss (Marlboro, N.J.). The Tartans continued to hold the lead the remainder of the half, but a triple by Hobart's Lescoe in the closing seconds cut the Tartans lead to 33-30 at the break.

Hobart started the second half on a 10-2 over the first four minutes, but four minutes later Carnegie Mellon retook the lead. Back-to-back baskets by sophomore Matt Carson (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) gave the Tartans a 45-42 advantage with 11:41 to play in regulation. The lead changed hands twice more before time expired in the second frame. The first on a three-point basket by Hobart's Lescoe and then on the ensuing possession Carnegie Mellon's senior Patrick Ehland (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) jumper put the lead back to the visitor's at 49-48 with 9:53 on the clock.

Carnegie Mellon's lead grew to as many as five on two different occasions with the last at the 4:08 mark. Hobart then closed regulation scoring the final five points to send the game into overtime tied at 57-57.

In the overtime frame, Carnegie Mellon was a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe and took a four-point lead when Howarth connected on a pair from the line with 1:04 to play. With the Tartans holding onto a 68-66 lead with six ticks remaining, Watson was sent to the line for a one-and-one and converted both shots to put the Tartans back up by four. A three-pointer by Hobart at the buzzer made the score final at 70-69.

Carnegie Mellon will be back in action on Tuesday, December 18 with a 6:00 p.m. tip at Washington & Jefferson College.