Box Score
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. (Jan. 4) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team opened up a big halftime lead and held off a serious comeback attempt by their hosts from Westminster to pick up a 78-75 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) win on Tuesday night.
The Yellow Jackets (9-2, 3-1) opened up a 43-29 lead at the half after shooting 54 percent (19-of-35) over the first 20 minutes of play. After the first seven minutes of the second half, it looked like Waynesburg would cruise to victory over the Titans (3-9, 0-5) after building up a game-high 16-point lead (55-39). However, Westminster got back into the game with a 14-1 run that cut the Jackets' lead all the way down to 56-53.
Waynesburg rebounded with five unanswered points to build their advantage back to a healthy eight points at 61-53. The Yellow Jackets were able to maintain multi-basket leads for the majority of the game's final minutes, but the Titans weren't ready to give up the fight in front of their home crowd. They trailed by just two with 18 seconds showing on the game clock.
Sophomore guard Brittany Spencer gave Waynesburg a three-point edge (78-75) with 14 seconds remaining after making one-of-two free throws. Westminster never got a chance to send the contest into overtime and Waynesburg survived for the victory.
Junior point guard Hannah Hunter gave one of her finest performances as a Yellow Jacket by racking up a personal collegiate-high 28 points. The third-year standout made the most of her advantages at the free throw line and hit on 12-of-13 tries from the stripe. She also dished out a team-high five assists, pulled down four rebounds and added a game-high four steals to her night.
Senior forward Elisha Jones added 17 points and recorded a game-high eight rebounds. Senior forward Malaeja Leggett chipped in nine valuable points off the bench. The Waynesburg defensive efforts were also fruitful and forced 20 Westminster turnovers. The Jackets won despite not making a single three-pointer.
Waynesburg returns home for another PAC contest on Thursday, when the Jackets play host to Thiel. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
