Strong Third Quarter Lifts Tartans Past W&J, 80-77

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University women's basketball team defeated Washington and Jefferson University in the team's home opener at the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics on Wednesday, November 13 by a 80-77 score. The tight game takes the Tartans to 3-0 for the season while W&J drops to 2-1.

Inside the Box Score

• Washington and Jefferson took an early lead of 5-0 in the first quarter over the first three minutes.
• Senior Catherine Or scored the first points for the Tartans with a layup off an offensive rebound. Or was fouled on the shot, following the basket with a made free throw.
• Down two after the first quarter, the Tartans scored the first seven points to take a 20-15 lead.
• After four lead changes, the Tartans and Presidents would end the half tied at 40-all.
• Or led the team with eight points in the second quarter to go with three steals.
• The Tartans trailed 49-45 with 6:05 to go in the third period before rattling off a 15-0 run that included back-to-back triples by senior Isha Nambisan off assists from Or.
• W&J did have a short run in the final frame to pull within two points, 68-66, but a layup by freshman Payton Baney started a five-point run that helped the Tartans keep the lead with they pushed the seven with 1:34 to go.
• Or was 4-of-4 from the free throw line in the last 16 seconds as the Presidents couldn't get closer than three points. 

Tartan Stats

• The Tartans ended the game shooting 43.1% (28-65) from the field and 6-18 from behind the arc (33.3%).
• The team had a total of 44 rebounds with 15 points from 17 offensive rebounds.
• Or led the team with 22 points and 10 rebounds and five steals.
• Baney had three blocks, including one with 43 seconds to play and the Tartans up by five.
• Senior Anisha Chintala had three steals, three rebounds, and 19 points.
• Nambisan finished with 14 points, two rebounds, and two assists, making three from long range for the second straight game. 

President Stats

• Jaden Wan led the team with 23 points.
• Meghan Dryburgh was held to 11 points but had eight assists.
• Raegan Kadlecik had 10 points off the bench.

Up Next

The Tartans will host Muskingum University on Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m.