Nakasian Scores Career-High in Tartans’ 98-86 Setback to #8 Emory

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team host the eighth-ranked Eagles of Emory University Friday night on the hardwood of Skibo Gymnasium and fell by the score of 98-86. The University Athletic Association (UAA) setback leaves Carnegie Mellon's overall record to 10-13 and 3-9 in league play, while Emory is now 20-3, 10-2.

For the ninth time this season, Carnegie Mellon shot 50.0% from the floor or better. The Tartans finished the game converting 30-of-60 from the floor, as Emory made 33-of-71 for 46.5%. Freshman Nick Nakasian (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) recorded a career-best 18 points in the loss. Senior Zach Howarth (Freehold, N.J./St. John Vianney) led the Tartans in scoring tying a season-high with 24 points, with 12 of his points coming out the charity stripe where he made 12-of-15. Senior Trent Suddeth (Winter Park, Fla./Trinity Prep) tabbed his UAA leading 11th double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Colin McNeil (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central Regional) ended the game with 10 points.

Emory was led by Matthew Schner with a game-high 27 points while Lawrence Roweley finished with 21 points. Matt Davet and Luke Morrison scored 16 and 10 points, respectively, coming off the bench. Schner also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds

The Eagles held a 13-5 lead with 13:30 to play in the first half before Carnegie Mellon used a 10-2 run over a three-minute span to knot the score at 15-15. Emory answered scoring the next seven points. The Tartans would pull within a point with eight minutes to play off a triple by junior Daniel Weiss (Marlboro, N.J.), but once again the visitor's answered scoring six straight and later used an 18-5 run to close the half and lead 55-40 at the break.

With 7:08 to play in the contest, Emory took its largest lead of the game at 86-70, but the Tartans did not go away without a fight. The Cardinal and Gray used a 12-2 run over four-and-a-half minutes and cut the deficit to 88-82. The Tartans continued to trail by six with just under two minutes to play, but the Eagles foul shooting down the stretch secured the 98-86 victory.

The Tartans will host the University of Rochester on Sunday, February 23. Tip is set for 12:00 p.m.