The Tartans jumped out to an early 8-2 lead before the Maroons went on a 12-2 run the next 5:10 to take the lead at 14-10. Both team battled back and forth in the first half with the Tartans gaining the biggest lead at six twice in the first half. The Maroons sophomore Brandon Woodhead (Lincoln, NE) hit a jumper with 1:50 left in the first half to put the Maroons on top at 34-32. Chicago would keep the momentum going as they took a 37-35 halftime lead.
The second half witnessed five lead changes with the most important one coming with 5:31 left in regulation when junior A.J. Straub (St. Mary’s, PA/Elk County Catholic) connected on a three-point shot. Straub’s basket gave the Tartans a 67-66 lead and they never looked back as they went on to the 81-72 victory.
Carnegie Mellon had four player in double figures leading the way was junior Nate Maurer (Pittsburgh, PA/Linsly School) finishing with a game high 28 points, junior Clayton Barlow-Wilcox (Brookline, MA/Brookline) chipped in with 15 and senior Eliot Goren (Silver Spring, MS/Bullis School) finished with 13 points and three assists for the Tartans. Senior Michael Divens (Trafford, PA/Penn Trafford) recorded his fourth double-double on the year pulling in 11 rebounds and scoring 11 points. Straub finished with nine points hitting 2 of 4 from behind the arc.
The Maroons were led by Mike Dolezal (Michigan City, IN) as he had a team high 18 points and nine rebounds. Jesse Meyer (Omaha, NE) and Woodhead each finished with 15 points.
Carnegie Mellon will be back in action Sunday, January 23 as they host the Washington University. The tip is scheduled for 12:00pm.