Tartans Strong Second Half Plays Factor in Win Over Pitt-Greensburg

(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) – For the second time in the past seven days, the Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team defeated the Bobcats of Pitt-Greensburg.  This time the Tartans won 94-63 at the second day of the Geneva College Coaches versus Cancer Tournament Saturday, November 22.  The win keeps the Tartans unbeaten at 4-0 while the Bobcats drop to 0-4.  

Over the first nine minutes of play the lead changed four times, as the Tartans claimed the last lead change of the game on a layup by sophomore Jack Serbin (New Albany, Ohio).  Serbin's bucket was the middle of a 9-0 run for the Tartans that put them ahead 21-15 with 9:44 to play in the half.  Carnegie Mellon took its largest lead of the half (36-27) on another layup by Serbin with two minutes to play in the half before leading 39-33 at the break.

The Tartans opened the second frame connecting on their first eight shots from the floor and took a commanding 59-40 edge with 13:10 to play.  During the span, junior Blake Chasen (Chevy Chase, Md./Phillips Exeter (N.H.)) scored six of his career-high eight points.  Carnegie Mellon continued to have the hot hand in the second half finishing the frame shooting 79.2% (19-24) from the floor.

For the game, the Cardinal and Gray shot 56.1% while the Bobcats shot 40%.  Carnegie Mellon turned 17 Pitt-Greensburg mishaps into 25 points while the Tartans committed a season-low nine turnovers for the second straight game that the Bobcats managed only seven points from. The Tartans had 13 players score and got 25 points from their bench in the victory.

Serbin recorded his third double-double of the season and sixth of his career with a season-high 25 points to go along with a game-high 10 rebounds.  Serbin also tied a career-best with four blocks. Senior Seth Cordts (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan) added 18 points and dished out three assists.  

The Bobcats were led by Jerell Figueroa's 23 points while Rocco Contristano chipped in with 10.

The Tartans return to the court on Tuesday, November 25 when they head north to play the Gators of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.  Tip is set for 7:00 p.m.