No. 25 Tartans Extend Best Start In School History to 11-0
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#25 Carnegie Mellon (11-0) | 16 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 78 |
|
Penn State-Behrend (4-7) | 5 | 9 | 17 | 23 | 54 |
(ERIE, Pa.) - The Carnegie Mellon University women's basketball team, ranked 25th in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25, extended its best start in school history to 11-0 with a 78-54 victory at Penn State Behrend on Tuesday, January 5. Three players scored in double figures, as the team shot 52.5% from the floor.
Junior Lisa Murphy (McLean, Va./McLean) continued to prove why she has the best shooting percentage in the nation, now at 80%, making 9-of-9 from the floor for her third perfect performance of the season. Murphy led the team with 20 points while senior Lindsay Poss (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) tallied 14 and junior Jackie Hudepohl (Saratoga, Calif./Lynbrook (Colgate)) scored 12.
The Tartans entered the game holding their opponents to a combined 32.2% effort from the floor and pressured the Lions into a 26.7% showing for the game with just five field goals made in the first half. In contrast, the Tartans shot 52.5% for their fourth game above 50% this season.
A 10-0 run to begin the game turned into a 16-5 lead after the first quarter for the Tartans.
The Tartans continued to spread out their advantage and led 26-8 with 5:32 to play in the second quarter after sophomore Kajae Jones (Fairfax, Va./Bishop O'Connell) converted a layup and free throw. In the final 2:43 of the half, the Tartans made five straight baskets, with freshman Jenn Mayberger (Chesterfield, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) picking up three of her game-high eight assists, and led 39-14 at the break.
The Lions improved their shooting effort in the second half but the deficit was too much to overcome as the Tartans were even more efficient in the final 20 minutes, making 17-of-32 attempts for 53.1%.
Murphy led the Tartans in rebounding for the seventh time with 16 boards for her fifth double-double of the season while Poss grabbed eight.
Carnegie Mellon closes out a six-game road stand at University Athletic Association opponent Case Western Reserve University on Saturday, January 9 at 3:00 p.m.