Box Score
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 28) – Despite racing out to a 15-0 lead against Bethany, the Waynesburg men's basketball team couldn't keep the Bison at bay as the defending Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) champs took a 77-67 contest Wednesday night.
The loss dropped the Yellow Jackets to 6-12 overall and 2-6 in PAC play. Bethany, meanwhile, jumped to 5-3 in conference play and 11-8 on the season.
The Jackets put together their big game-opening run over the first 5:10. The Bison finally got on the board when freshman guard Lance Beckwith knocked down a free throw with 14:11 left in the opening period.
Waynesburg maintained an 11-point lead (23-12) with 7:08 left in the first period. From there, Bethany went on their first big run of the night, out-scoring the Yellow Jackets 13-0 over the next 3:18 to take a 25-23 lead.
After the home team tied the game back up at 25-25, the Bison ended the period on a 12-4 run, giving them a 37-29 lead.
After the two teams returned from their respective locker rooms, Waynesburg slowly chipped away at their opponents' lead, and managed to tie the game up at 41-41 with 16:19 to go in the contest.
Waynesburg was able to regain the lead several times in the second half. The Yellow Jackets held a 61-58 advantage with 6:15 showing on the game clock.
However, Bethany refused to go away and took a two-point lead (69-67) with just 1:11 left in the game. The visitors finished off Waynesburg by tallying the final eight points of the game to bring about the 77-67 final.
Though it came in a losing effort, senior guard Dan Happe put together a solid night on the court, rolling up a team-best 20 points on seven-of-14 shooting. Fellow senior guard Jason Clark added 14 points on the night. Junior guard Ryan Courneen and senior forward Colby Grubich went for nine points and six rebounds each.
Bethany senior forward Petre Petkovski put together a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Both totals were game highs.
The Waynesburg men return to action on Saturday, Jan. 31, when they travel to Latrobe to take on Saint Vincent. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
