Tartans Upset #16 Emory 78-71 in Atlanta

(ATLANTA, Ga.) – The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team traveled to Atlanta, Georgia on Friday night to play the 16th-ranked Emory University Eagles. The Tartans snapped a 15-game skid to the Eagles with a 78-71 University Athletic Association (UAA) victory.

Game Information
Carnegie Mellon 78, #16 Emory 71
Records: Carnegie Mellon (9-4, 1-1 UAA), #16 Emory (10-3, 1-1 UAA)
Location: Atlanta, Ga. (Woodruff Physical Education Center)

How it Happened

• Carnegie Mellon trailed 9-5 at the 12:47 mark of the first half and then used a 13-3 run and led 18-12 with 7:18 to play in the half.
• The Tartans led by as many as nine on two different occasions over the first twenty minutes of play before taking a 30-25 lead into the locker room.
• The Cardinal and Gray shot 32.4% from the floor to the Eagles 22.7% while holding Emory to a 0-for-13 effort from behind the arc. The Tartans converted 4-of-14 from long range in the first half.
• With 6:48 to play the Tartans pushed the lead back to nine points at 58-49 following a triple by sophomore Aidan Murphy and layup by junior R.J. Holmes.
• A pair of made free throws by senior Josh Berry with 1:45 left in regulation made the score 68-60 Tartans.
• Emory then used a 9-4 run over the next 1:17 and cut the score to 72-69 after a triple in the corner by Matteo Whelton with 28 ticks remaining.
• Clutch free throw shooting by the Tartans in the closing minute of play, 8-of-8, with six coming from Holmes, sealed the win for the visitors.

Tartan Stats

• Carnegie Mellon ended the game shooting 35.8% (24-67) from the floor and 30.8% (8-26) from behind the arc.
• The Tartans converted 22-of-25 (88.0%) from the free throw line.
• All five starters scored in double figures with Holmes and senior Nick Nakasian each with 15 points to lead the way. Berry along with junior Jack Stone tabbed 11 apiece while freshman Justin Allen ended with 10.
• Three Tartans grabbed eight rebounds, senior Kevin Sax, Nakasian and Berry to lead the Cardinal and Gray.
• Holmes tied a career-high dishing out five assists.

Eagles Stats

• Emory shot 33.7% (28-83) from the floor and 12.5% (3-24) from behind the arc.
• Jair Knight led the Eagles with 17 points and nine rebounds coming off the bench. Benjamin Pearce also recorded double figures with 16 points.

Game Notes

• The win for Carnegie Mellon is its first over Emory since the 2014 season and only the sixth win in Atlanta.
• The Tartans have now won seven straight contests when five or more players score in double figures. They are 3-0 this season.
• When holding its opponents to under 73 points, Carnegie Mellon improves to 7-1 on the season.
• The 88.0% (22-25) effort from the charity stripe for the Tartans is the best this season.

Thoughts From Senior Nick Nakasian

• "It was great to get a team win on the road. Every guy battled tonight; that's what it takes to win in the UAA. I'm really proud of the guys, and excited to keep building as we still have improvements to make."

Up Next

• The Tartans will travel to Rochester, New York, to face the #9 Yellowjackets on Sunday, January 15 at 12:00 p.m.