Carnegie Mellon led for the first 5:17 of the game before the Judges tied the score at 10. Brandeis would take the lead for good less than a minute later on Bryan Lambert’s (Auburn, ME) jumper with 13:41 to play in the half. The Judges would build a lead of 13 before the Tartans would turn it around and cut the lead to three at 41-38 heading into the half.
The second half was no different as Brandeis would lead by as many as nine and took a 72-67 lead with 1:55 left in regulation. The Tartans junior Clayton Barlow-Wilcox (Brookline, MA/Brookline) would find the basket cutting the Judges lead to three, 72-69 with just under a minute to play. After a Judges turnover junior Nate Maurer (Pittsburgh, PA/Linsly School) nailed a three-pointer from the top of the arc with thirty seconds left knotting the score at 72-72. Brandeis freshman Kwame Graves-Fulgham (Amherst, MA) was fouled with two seconds left sending him to the line for two shots. Graves-Fulgham first shot fell short, but the second was good giving the Judges the one point lead, 73-72. The Tartans desperation chance fell short as the throw in pass was intercepted.
Four Carnegie Mellon starters were in double figures leading the way was Barlow-Wilcox recording his sixth double-double on the year finishing with career highs for the second straight game in points with 29 points and rebounds with 15. Barlow-Wilcox shot 12-19 from the floor. Senior Michael Divens (Trafford, PA/Penn Trafford) recorded his sixth double-double on the year as well finishing with 12 points and a career high 13 rebounds, Maurer had 15 points, and senior Jason Walters (Providence, RI/County Day) ended with 11 for the Tartans.
The Judges also had four players in double figures as Lambert’s 19 points led the way. Freshman Joe Coppens (Rochland, MA) added 15, and Steve DeLuca (Merrimack, NH) chipped in with 14. Graves-Fulgham finished with 11.
Carnegie Mellon shot 42.0% from the floor to the Judges 50.8%. The Tartans had the edge on the glass pulling in 45 rebounds as Brandeis had 28.
Carnegie Mellon will be back in action Sunday, February 13 as they host New York University. The tip is scheduled for 1:00pm.