Last Second Shot Sinks Tartans Against Rochester

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University women's basketball team suffered a last second defeat at the hands of the University of Rochester on Friday, February 20 in Skibo Gymnasium. The Yellowjackets hit a shot with two second left to steal the 63-62 win and move to 14-9 on the year and 6-6 in the University Athletic Association. The Tartans are now 11-12 and 2-10.

There were 10 lead changes in the first half as neither team led by more than four points with Rochester holding a 31-29 lead at the break. The Tartans were led by sophomore Lisa Murphy's (McLean, Va./McLean) nine points and 11 rebounds during the half while junior Liza Otto (Glastonbury, Conn.) also scored nine points with senior MacKenzie Boyd (Plano, Texas/Plano West) putting in eight.

Rochester opened the second frame with a 10-2 run, stretching its advantage to 41-31. A 13-8 answer by the Tartans, led by two treys from senior Chandler Caufield (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) which pulled the home squad within five, 49-44, with 8:45 to play.

The Tartans continued to chip into the Rochester advantage and eventually took their first lead, 58-56, since the final minute of the first period when Otto put in two free throws with 2:19 on the clock. Murphy tied the game with her third three-point play of the contest on the Tartans' previous possession.

Rochester's Lauren Deming sunk a running jump on the baseline and Kayla Kibling drilled a three-pointer to put the Yellowjackets back on top by three with 1:16 to go.

Otto made two free throws and Caufield hit a jumper in the paint with 11 seconds to go to give the Tartans a one-point lead, 62-61.

Rochester ran the ball up court and Blair Landolfi took two dribbles in from the left corner and hit a shot over Otto with two seconds that stood for the win.

Otto led the Tartans with a season-high 20 points as Murphy recorded her 11th double-double of the year with 16 points and 20 rebounds. Caufield finished with 13 points, all coming in the second half.

The Tartans host their final home game of the season on Sunday, February 22 when Emory University visits Pittsburgh for a 2:00 p.m. tip.