Serbin Records Fifth Double-Double in Tartans Setback at Juniata

(HUNTINGDON, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team traveled to Juniata College on Monday, December 5 and dropped a 62-58 decision to the Eagles. Senior Jack Serbin (New Albany, Ohio) tabbed is fifth double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds in the setback, as the Tartans move to 4-3 overall while the Eagles improve to 4-2.

Carnegie Mellon started the game connecting on its first three shots and led 7-2 following a jumper by Serbin two minutes into play. The Tartans hot hand was short lived, as Juniata scored 18 straight points and extended its run to 24-4 over the next 10 minutes and led 26-11.

Over the last 4:33 in the first half, the Tartans used a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to 32-25 at the break. During the run, the Cardinal and Gray went 4-of-6 from the field. Freshman Colin McNeil (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional) started the scamper with a layup while Serbin and sophomore Seth Henry (Fulton, Md./Reservoir) each added four points.

With six minutes to play the Tartans trailed 55-47 before they put together an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 57-55 on a layup by junior Thomas Cook (Gwynn Oak, Md./Carver Arts & Tech.) with 2:23 to play. A minute later, Juniata pushed the lead to 59-55, but the Tartans didn't go away, as McNeil drained two from the charity stripe with 34 ticks left to make the score 59-57. Juniata then connected on 3-of-4 free throws in the closing seconds including a pair by Seth Brewer with eight seconds remaining to seal the win.

Carnegie Mellon out rebounded its sixth opponent this season grabbing 41 boards to the Eagles 30. The Tartans shot 42.3% (22-52) from the floor while Juniata held the slight edge shooting 42.9% (24-56). Senior Chris Shkil (Mentor, Ohio/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) was the only other Tartan to score in double figures as he finished with 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, six offensive.

Damon Rickens led Juniata with 16 points and Brewer chipped in with 14.

Carnegie Mellon travels to Penn State Behrend on Wednesday, December 7 for a 7:00 p.m. contest.