Box Score
 
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Feb. 29) – Last year, the Waynesburg women's basketball team had little trouble in taking down Penn State Behrend 73-59 to advance to the championship game of the ECAC South Tournament. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets couldn't repeat that effort as they fell in the first round of this year's tournament to the Lions by the final score of 63-59.
 
The loss gives Waynesburg a final overall record of 20-8, while Penn State Behrend (22-5) advances to the ECAC South semifinals, where it will face second-seeded Moravian at the Greyhounds' home gym.
 
The third-seeded Jackets looked like they would have a relatively easy trip into the ECAC South semifinals as they raced out to a 16-4 lead over the first six minutes of action. Unfortunately, the sixth-seeded Lions were just getting warmed up as they quickly dug out of the early hole by going on a 10-0 run to pull to within just two points (16-14) with 9:21 left to play in the first half.
 
After a jumper by junior guard Brittany Spencer stopped the Behrend run and put her team up 18-14, the Lions went right back on the attack by scoring the next four points to tie the game at 18-18. The visiting team kept the momentum going and out-scored the host squad 11-4 and with 2:20 still to play until halftime, Behrend jumped ahead 29-22. Waynesburg was able to score the final four points of the half and the Jackets trailed by just three (29-26) going into the locker room.
 
The Jackets were unable to re-establish a lead in the second half, but were able to pull to within just one point (41-40) with 11:27 left to play. Unfortunately, Penn State Behrend scored the next 11 points of the evening to grab a 52-40 advantage with 7:47 showing on the clock. To Waynesburg's credit, the Jackets never gave up as they were able to pull to within three points on multiple occasions over the final few minutes of play.  
 
Four different Waynesburg starters reached double digits in scoring on the night and the quartet was led by senior point guard Hannah Hunter. The four-year starter poured in a team-high 18 points and dished out two assists before fouling out of the game and receiving an extended standing ovation for a fantastic collegiate career. Sophomore forward Elaine Hasek recorded 13 points and junior guard Jessi Drayer posted the game' only double-double on 11 points and 10 rebounds. Spencer chipped in 10 points and eight boards.
 
Waynesburg committed 22 turnovers in the loss and shot just 35 percent from the floor on the night and 28.6 percent in the first half. The Jackets conclude their second-straight 20-win season and are expected to bring back four starters and almost their entire compliment of bench players for the 2012-13 season.