Tartans Strong Second Half Not Enough in 82-78 Setback to Rochester

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team hosted the Yellowjackets of the University of Rochester on Sunday afternoon in University Athletic Association (UAA) action. The Yellowjackets left Pittsburgh with an 82-78 victory.

Game Information
Carnegie Mellon 78, Rochester 82
Records: Carnegie Mellon (15-7, 7-4), Rochester (15-7, 5-6)
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Weigand Gymnasium)

How it Happened

• Over the first 14 minutes of play the lead changed hands five times.
• With 5:56 to play in the first half, a senior Josh Berry layup gave the Tartans a 28-27 advantage but proved to be the last point for the home team the rest of the stanza.
• Rochester went on a 15-0 run to close the half, as the Tartans went 0-of-7 from the floor during the stretch.
• The Yellowjackets momentum carried over to the start of the second half as the run expanded to 22-2 to give Rochester a 49-30 at the 17:41 mark.
• Carnegie Mellon then used a 13-5 over the next six minutes to climb back into the contest.
• With Rochester leading 74-64 with 4:24 to play, Carnegie Mellon scored seven straight to pull to within three at 74-71 with 56 ticks showing.
• On the ensuing possession, Rochester's Logan Jagodzinski drained a triple as the shot clock was expiring, but Tartan junior Jack Stone answered with a step back long ball of his own the next time down the court with 18 seconds remaining.
• Following a pair of made foul shots by Rochester's Ross Gang, freshman Justin Allen hit a triple to make the score 79-77 with 6.1 on the clock.
• Gang was then fouled and made one of two from the line. The Yellowjackets holding a three-point lead, elected to foul Stone with 3.6 second s left. Stone made his first free throw and then missed his second intentionally, but a lane violation was called on the Tartans giving the ball to Rochester.
• Again, Gang was foul and sent to the foul line. This time with 2.4 seconds remaining, he made both shots to secure the Yellowjackets victory.     

Tartan Stats

• Carnegie Mellon ended the game shooting 46.4% (26-56) from the field.
• Stone led the Tartans with 22 points.
• Junior R.J. Holmes was the only other Tartan to score in double figures, as he finished with 12 points.
• Holmes also led the Tartans with seven rebounds.

Yellowjacket Stats

• Carnegie Mellon ended the game shooting 45.9% (28-61) from the field.
• Jagodzinski finished with a game-high 25 points.
• Gang scored 18 and Matt Wiele ended with 13 points.
• Gang led all players with nine rebounds.

Game Notes

• The loss for the Tartans was their first at home this season. They are now 9-1 in Wiegand Gymnasium.
• The Tartans are now 7-3 this season when shooting 45% from the floor or better.

Up Next

• Carnegie Mellon will travel to the Windy City to play the University of Chicago on Friday, February 17. Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT.