Mayberger Sets Assist Record in Tartans' 78-63 Victory at Muskingum

(NEW CONCORD, Ohio) - The Carnegie Mellon University women's basketball team won its tenth game to open the season with a 78-63 victory at Muskingum University on Saturday, January 2. Freshman Jenn Mayberger (Chesterfield, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) set the single-game record for assists with 12, as the Tartans improved to 10-0 and won their eighth game by double digits.

The Tartans trailed 11-4 before scoring eight straight to retake the lead on a three-pointer by sophomore Anna Novak (San Antonio, Texas/Alamo Heights). The team went on to lead 20-14 at the end of the first quarter, as the Fighting Muskies scored just three points in the final 6:50 of the period.

The second quarter witnessed the Tartans make five of their first six shots to extend their six-point lead to 17 in the first 2:45. Mayberger recorded four assists during the span. While the Tartans only mustered two free throws during the next 4:42, they maintained a double-digit lead because Muskingum shot 2-of-7 from the field and turned the ball over three times.

At the half, the Tartans led 41-28, behind 18 points from junior Lisa Murphy (McLean, Va./McLean) and nine assists from Mayberger.

The third quarter belonged to Murphy and fellow junior Jackie Hudepohl (Saratoga, Calif./Lynbrook (Colgate)) who each scored seven straight and finished with nine points a piece for the 10 minutes, as the Tartans led 64-43 entering the fourth quarter.

Muskingum would only cut the deficit to 14 points in the final period, leading to the Tartans the 78-63 victory.

For the game, the Tartans shot 45.7%, marking their ninth game with a shooting percentage greater than 45%.

Murphy finished with her fourth 30-plus scoring effort, totallying 31 points while pulling down 12 rebounds to record her fourth double-double of the season. Hudepohl scored 19 points with senior Liza Otto (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) chipping in 10. Next to Mayberger's 12 assists, Otto collected four.

The Tartans will take their unbeaten record to Penn State Behrend (4-6) on Tuesday, January 5 for a 6:00 p.m. tip before starting their conference slate on Saturday, January 9 at Case Western Reserve University.