McNeil Breaks Single-Game Assist Mark in Tartans Season Opener

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team opened its season with an 86-81 setback to the visiting Gators of Allegheny College on Tuesday night. Senior Colin McNeil (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional) recorded his first career double-double with a school record 13 assists while adding 13 points. His 13 assists ties him for fifth all-time in program history with 288 for his career.

Carnegie Mellon shot 47.1% (32-68) from the floor to Allegheny's 50.7% (34-67). The long ball was in the Gators favor all night, as they converted 14-of-31 from behind the arc while the Tartans made 5-of-18.

Five players scored in double figures with senior Trent Suddeth (Winter Park, Fla./Trinity Prep) leading the way with 18 points. Junior Daniel Weiss (Marlboro, N.J.) poured in a career-best 17 points while senior Zach Howarth (Freehold, N.J./St. John Vianney) matched McNeil with 13 and freshman Nick Nakasian (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) scored 11 off the bench.

Jordan Rawls game-high 33 points led Allegheny. Rawls converted 13-of-19 from the floor including 6-of-9 from behind the arc. Caden Hinckley and Nijon Kirkman each had 11 points for the Gators while Hinckley recorded a double-double with a game-best 12 rebounds.

With the score deadlocked at 21-21 with 7:34 to play in the first half, Allegheny used an 18-5 run over the next six minutes and eventually led 41-30 at the break. During the run, the Gators converted 4-of-7 triples.

Allegheny led the entire second half, but the Tartans used a 12-6 run late in the game to pull within one-point at 80-79 with 1:51 to play. The Gators answered with one of their 14 treys on their next possession to push the lead back to four. McNeil then made it a two-point contest on the next trip down the floor, but Allegheny converted 3-of-4 from the foul line in the closing seconds to hold on for the win.

Carnegie Mellon will be back in action on Friday, November 15 with a 7:00 p.m. tip at the University of Mount Union.