Big Third Quarter Propels Tartans to 2-0 UAA Record

(WALTHAM, Mass.) - The Carnegie Mellon University women's basketball team used a strong third quarter to create separation from the Brandeis University Judges and went on to win, 77-63, on the road Friday night for a 2-0 start to their University Athletic Association (UAA) season. The Tartans are now 8-3 overall while Brandeis falls to 5-6 and 0-2.

Freshman Catherine Or (Los Angeles, Calif. / Marlborough School), who was nearly shutout in the first half with two points, finished the game with 19 points to lead all players in scoring in the win. The first-year Tartans also had nine rebounds and five steals. Senior Caitlyn Clendenin (Bethesda, Md. / Bethesda Chevy Chase) tallied 18 points for her 11th game in double figures this year while senior Leah Weslock (Howell, Mich. / Howell) scored 13 and freshman Anisha Chintala (Austin, Texas / Westwood) scored 12.

The Tartans were down four points at halftime before emerging from the locker room to hit 52.2% of their attempts in the third quarter along with making 5-of-6 from the free throw line to score 31 points to just 12 for the Judges. The Tartans forced the home team into eight turnovers while coughing up the ball just once for the period.

Or scored 13 of her points in the pivotal third quarter, connecting on four free throws, one three-pointer, and another three shots from the field.

Less than two minutes into the final period, Weslock converted an and-1 play to give the Tartans their largest lead of the game at 18 points, 66-48.

Brandeis hit back-to-back three-pointers in the last 1:28 to pull within 10 points but the Tartans answered with a layup and two free throws to seal the road win.

The Tartans made time at the free-throw line count for the game with 18 made out of 27 attempts, both season highs. The Tartans also won the rebounding battle 54-36, a category they have held the advantage in for each game this season.

Up next for the Tartans is fifth-ranked New York University on Sunday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. NYU is 11-0 on the season and 2-0 in UAA play.