WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 19) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team never trailed in Monday night's non-conference game with Penn State-Greater Allegheny, as they emphatically snapped a six-game losing streak with an 80-56 win over the Lady Lions on Monday night.
The scoring output was the team's highest since putting up 89 in a win over Bethany in a 2005-2006 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) playoff game.
The win bumps the Yellow Jackets' record up to 5-10 on the year, while Greater Allegheny falls to 5-8.
Despite having just six players, the Lady Lions kept the game close through the first eight minutes, trailing just 12-10. However, the Jackets went on a 9-2 run to open up a 21-12 advantage.
However, the home team was able to convert 16 first-half turnovers into 17 points, and got 23 points from their bench in the first 20 minutes to open up 42-29 halftime lead.
In the second half, first-year head coach Sam Jones was able to go deep into his bench and get many of his players in as Waynesburg opened leads as big as 30 (67-37, 69-39) on their opponents.
All told, 13 different Jackets hit the court, with ten of them logging double-digit minutes, but none playing more than 24 minutes. Nine different players scored in the win.
Waynesburg also did a much better job of taking care of the basketball, turning it over 17 times, to Greater Allegheny's 28 times. Those turnovers were converted into 32 of the team's 80 points on the night.
The Jackets also had a good night in the paint as they out-rebounded their opponents by a 41-32 margin.
Speaking of the bench, freshman point guard Erika Illig led Waynesburg and tied for the team lead with a career-best 18 points during 19 points of reserve work. Freshman forward Callie White chipped in 14 points, while forwards Elisha Jones and Morgan Hoone tossed in 11 points each.
Jones also swatted away four blocks and pulled down four rebounds, while White chipped in five boards and dished out a team-best four assists.
Guards Johnna Deco and Jen Scarborough led the way on the glass with seven and six rebounds, respectrively.
The Lady Lions were led by guard Chanelle Quallis and forward Jessica Bartges, who tallied 18 pointes each.
The Jackets return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 21, when they return to PAC play by heading to Pittsburgh to take on Chatham. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
