Wooster, Ohio – November 21, 2009 – In the consolation game of the 2009 Al Wie / Wooster Rotary Classic hosted by the College of Wooster, the Heidelberg University men’s basketball team dropped a 72-65 decision to Carnegie Mellon University. The loss drops Heidelberg to 0-2 on the year, while Carnegie Mellon improves to 1-2.
Heidelberg jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but Carnegie Mellon bounced back and eventually tied the game at 16 apiece with less than 10 minutes left in the opening half. Heidelberg’s John Miller (Millersburg, Ohio / West Holmes) responded with a layup and the Berg went on to build its biggest lead of the half at 10 points, 34-24, following a Jim Smalley (Middleburg Heights, Ohio / Midpark) jumper. Heidelberg entered the intermission holding a 34-29 advantage.
The second half featured six ties and three lead changes, with Carnegie Mellon taking over the scoreboard, 56-54, following a jumper from Matthew Pettit with 6:29 left in the contest. Heidelberg pulled within one on three occasions down the stretch, but Carnegie Mellon would never let go of the lead and held on for the 72-65 win.
For the game, Heidelberg shot 40.6 percent (26-of-64) from the field, while Carnegie Mellon shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59). Carnegie Mellon held a 44-39 advantage on the glass.
Freshman Adrian Casey Jr. (Lorain, Ohio / Lorain Admiral King) recorded his first collegiate double-double to lead the way for Heidelberg. He finished with a career-best 12 points and 10 rebounds. Backing Casey was Smalley with team-high 13 points. Josh Calver (Shelby, Ohio / Shelby) added nine points and five rebounds, while freshman Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Harvest Preparatory) contributed seven points and two rebounds in his first career start.