Box Score

 
 
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 5) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team used an offensive surge in the second period to overcome a halftime deficit and earn a 74-61 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) victory over Westminster on Saturday night.
 
Both teams shot under 35 percent from the floor in the first half and Westminster held a narrow 28-24 advantage at the break. The second half was a totally different story as the Yellow Jackets (6-8, 1-5) put up 50 points against the Titans (4-9, 0-5) in the final 20 minutes of action to secure their first PAC home victory since Jan. 7, 2009, which, coincidentally, was against Westminster.
 
The second-half comeback was started by sophomore Kenny Klase, who drained a three pointer on the Jackets' first possession. After a Westminster field goal, the Jackets added a layup by sophomore Jason Propst and back-to-back three pointers by sophomore Jacob Fleegle, the second of which gave the Jackets a five-point lead at the with 16:30 left to play.
 
The run continued when the Jackets converted a Titan turnover into a layup by Propst to put the Jackets up by seven. The teams battled back-and-forth over the next four-plus minutes before the Titans drew to within three points after a three pointer at the 11:03 mark.
 
Waynesburg maintained control of the conference clash before pushing it to double digits (65-55) at the 3:25 mark when Propst made the front end of a pair of free throws. With the game firmly in their control, the Yellow Jackets were able to put the game away by converting nine-of-12 free throws over the final 2:30 of the contest to preserve its first conference win of the season. The victory was also the Jackets' fourth in their past five games.
 
The home team shot 43 percent (25-of-57) for the game from the field, while also connecting on 15-of-23 attempts from the free throw line (65 percent) and converting on an impressive nine-of-18 from behind the three-point arc (50 percent). Waynesburg's defense was able to frustrate its opposition, limiting the Titans to a 37 percent effort from the field and allowing the Titans to convert just three-of-15 three pointers. The Titans held a slight 38-37 advantage on the glass but it wasn't enough to lead to victory.
 
Propst led the way for Waynesburg with 13 points and 10 rebounds, good for a double-double performance. Fleegle chipped in 13 points, while freshman B.J. Durham added 11 points and junior E.J. Coleman rounded out the quartet in double figures with 10. Both Durham and Fleegle made three three-pointers.
 
Waynesburg will look to win back-to-back PAC games when they host Thiel on Wednesday night at the Marisa Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.