Tartans Drop 74-68 Battle to #13 Middlebury in UAA/NESCAC Challenge Opener

(ROCHESTER, N.Y.) – The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team opened play at the 2022 UAA/NESCAC Challenge on Saturday at Rochester University with a 74-68 setback to the 13th-ranked Panthers of Middlebury College.

Game Information
Carnegie Mellon 68, #13 Middlebury 74
Records: Carnegie Mellon (5-1), Middlebury (5-0)
Location: Rochester, N.Y. (Louis Alexander Palestra)

How it Happened

• The score was knotted at 8-8 four minutes into play before Middlebury used a 13-2 run and took a 21-10 advantage with 9:11 to play in the first half.
• The Tartans responded with a 12-2 run of their own, closing the gap to one at 23-22 with 4:10 on the clock.
• Middlebury pushed its lead to 29-24 before Carnegie Mellon closed the first half scoring nine of the final 12 points to take a 33-32 edge heading into the locker room.
• The first 10 minutes of the half featured eight lead changes and three ties as the squads vied for a crucial advantage.
• With the Tartans leading 51-48 midway through the second frame, Middlebury tallied six unanswered points to take a 54-51 lead.
• The Cardinal and Gray did not go away, as a three-pointer on the next possession by junior Jack Stone knotted the score at 54-all.
• With 5:15 left in the half, Middlebury used a 7-0 run to take the lead for good at 61-54.

Tartan Stats

• The Tartans shot 40.9% from the floor and scored 38 points in the paint.
• Junior R.J. Holmes led the Cardinal and Gray with 20 points.
• Two other Tartans tabbed double figures with senior Kevin Sax scoring 14 and freshman Justin Allen putting in 10.
• Senior Josh Berry tied a season-high dishing out seven assists.

Middlebury Stats

• The Panthers shot 39.0% from the floor and scored 34 points in the paint.
• Alex Sobel led all players with 17 rebounds. He also scored 19 points and recorded seven block shots.
• Middlebury was led in scoring by Sam Stevens with 22 points while Evan Flaks ended with 10.

Game Notes

• The Tartans were outrebounded for the first time this season as the Panthers grabbed 47 boards to the Tartans 37.
• The loss snaps Carnegie Mellon's five-game win streak to start the season. The 5-0 start was the fourth-best start in program history and the best since 2014-15 when the team started 9-0.

Up Next

• Carnegie Mellon will continue play in the UAA/NESCAC Challenge on Sunday, December 4 with a 12:00 p.m. tip against Bowdoin.