CMU Triumphs Over W&J Women in Rare Home Defeat

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has become a real thorn in the side for the Washington & Jefferson (W&J) women’s basketball team. In a recent non-conference game at Salvitti Family Gymnasium, CMU handed W&J a rare home loss, 78-67.

This was only the fifth time W&J lost at home in their last 62 games. For the second year in a row, the Tartans knocked off the Presidents early in the season.

Nicole Timko led CMU with a huge 26-point performance. W&J’s Riley DeRubbo did her best to keep her team in it, finishing with 17 points.

Game Recap: CMU vs. W&J Women’s Basketball

W&J started strong, edging out a 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. But things shifted quickly in the second quarter when Allie Heyer drained a three-pointer, putting the Tartans ahead for good.

By halftime, CMU led 38-31. The Tartans really pulled away in the third, stretching their lead to 61-44.

In the end, CMU took it 78-67. That final score stings if you’re a Presidents fan.

Key Players and Performances

Some players really stood out during the game:

• Nicole Timko: 26 points for CMU.
• Niyati Bangalore: Came off the bench and hit four threes for 14 points.
• Payton Baney: Added 13 points for CMU.
• Riley DeRubbo: Led W&J with 17 points.
• Jaden Wan: Chipped in 14 points for W&J.
• Marina Grado: Put up 11 points for W&J.
• Natie Kovalchick: Added 10 points for W&J.

Statistical Breakdown

CMU’s win came down to better shooting and smart play. The Tartans hit nine three-pointers, and Niyati Bangalore made nearly half of those herself.

CMU shot 57 percent overall. W&J, meanwhile, just couldn’t find their rhythm, finishing at 37 percent.

Team Statistics

• CMU: 9 three-pointers, 57 percent shooting
• W&J: 37 percent shooting

Coaching and Strategy

Kathy McConnell-Miller, CMU’s head coach and former Trinity High School coach, has really built a tough, disciplined squad. You could see her influence in how CMU kept their composure and held the lead.

She made great use of her bench, especially with Niyati Bangalore’s spark off the pine. That kind of depth makes a difference, doesn’t it?

W&J’s Response and Future Prospects

Even with the loss, W&J showed some grit. Several players hit double figures, and the team didn’t just roll over.

There’s plenty to work on, though. W&J needs to boost their shooting accuracy and figure out how to break through tough defenses like CMU’s.

With DeRubbo and Wan leading the way, there’s still a solid core to build on. Maybe this loss lights a fire for the rest of the season.

Men’s Basketball: Wittenberg vs. Waynesburg

Switching gears, Wittenberg University rolled past Waynesburg University, 80-55, in another non-conference matchup. Wittenberg showed off their depth, putting 18 players on the court, and 15 of them scored.

Game Highlights

Wittenberg led 35-25 at the break. Midway through the second half, an 11-2 run put the game out of reach.

Wittenberg shot a blistering 57 percent. Waynesburg, by comparison, managed just 38 percent.

Key Players and Performances

• Eddie Brown and Tyler Galluch: 13 points each for Wittenberg.
• Jalen Goins: Game-high 17 points for Waynesburg.
• Jackson Rhodes: 15 points for Waynesburg.

Conclusion

Small college basketball never fails to surprise me. CMU and Wittenberg both showed off their grit and smart play in the recent games.

If you want a deeper dive, check out the full article over at the Observer-Reporter website.