Box Score  
 
BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (Nov. 16) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team opened up the 2012-13 season on Friday at the Geneva Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. The Yellow Jackets faced off with Pitt-Greensburg in the opening round of the event and dropped a 74-61 decision to the Bobcats.
 
UPG (1-0) got off to a fast start by out-scoring the Jackets (0-1) 15-4 over the first 6:33 of action, but Waynesburg was ready with an answer, as it ripped off a 9-0 run that was fueled by a pair of three-pointers by sophomore Kenny Klase and three more points from sophomore Jacob Fleegle. After that big early run, the Jackets trailed by just two points with 10:34 showing on the first-period clock. Unfortunately, that was as close as Waynesburg came to catching the Bobcats before the halftime break. UPG eventually built its lead back up to 10 points (39-29) as the two teams went into their respective locker rooms.
 
Pitt-Greensburg was able to maintain multi-basket advantages throughout the second half and led by as many as 16 points before the game wrapped up. The Jackets were able to pull to within six points on several different occasions, but that was as close as they came to grabbing victory.
 
Waynesburg was led by the sophomore trio of Klase, Fleegle and forward Jason Propst. Klase posted team highs in scoring and rebounding by going for 17 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench. Fleegle followed with 14 points, while Propst chipped in 12. First-year junior guard E.J. Coleman dished out a game-high five assists and swiped away a contest-best five steals. Coleman also dropped in seven points on the evening.
 
UPG was paced by David Palmer, who posted a double-double effort of 18 points and 20 rebounds, both of which were game highs. The Bobcats held a major advantage in rebounding, pulling down 57 boards, to the Jackets' 38. They were also more effective at the free throw line, knocking down 17-of-22 tries from the charity stripe, while Waynesburg connected on eight-of-12 attempts. The Jackets were better at protecting the ball, turning it over just 10 times, while forcing Greensburg into 19 turnovers.
 
Waynesburg will get another shot at its first win tomorrow, when it faces Penn State Fayette in day two of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.