Box Score
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 29) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team scored its first win over Grove City at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse since the 2006-07 season, by beating the Wolverines 63-60 on Wednesday night. Wednesday's win was just the second for Waynesburg in its last seven matchups with GCC.
After finding itself in a 6-2 hole early in the game, Waynesburg (9-10, 4-6) fired back with an 11-0 surge that put the eventual victors ahead 13-6 with 14:40 remaining in the first half. Junior forward
Jacob Fleegle knocked down a pair of three-pointers to power the run.
Grove City (8-10, 5-5) responded by scoring the next five points, but the home team quelled the run with five points of its own that gave it an 18-11 advantage with 12:42 showing on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for Waynesburg, the Wolverines grabbed momentum back with a 10-0 surge that gave them the lead back at 21-18 halfway through the first period.
The visiting team not only maintained its edge over the Orange and Black, but with 2:36 left in the first half, it led 32-24. However, Waynesburg, feeding off a raucous home crowd, rediscovered its offensive touch to grab a 34-32 edge at halftime. The Jackets scored the final 10 points of the opening period on a trio of three-pointers, two of which came from sophomore guard
B.J. Durham, and a Fleegle free throw.
Waynesburg carried its offensive momentum into the second half and extended its scoring streak to 14-straight points on baskets juniors
Jason Propst and
Kenny Klase. Those back-to-back hoops pushed the Jacket lead to 38-32 early in the half. The home team never trailed for the remainder of the contest, and built leads as large as eight points (43-35).
Grove City showed its mettle, however, and with 5:41 to play, tied the game up at 50-50. A Propst jumper at the 4:20 mark gave his team the lead back and marked the beginning of a seven-to-one run that effectively sealed the deal for the Jackets. The win moved Waynesburg to within one game of fourth place in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) standings, which is currently held by Grove City and Washington & Jefferson.
Durham led all Waynesburg players with a team-high 17-point performance that featured five made three-pointers in 10 attempts. Fleegle added 13 points, while Propst chipped in nine in the victory. Durham and Fleegle also paced the Jackets' defensive efforts with four and three steals, respectively.
The home team held a 36-to-31 advantage in rebounding. Propst and junior forward
Thomas Ellis led Waynesburg on the boards by tying for the game high in rebounding with five each. The Jackets ultimately won the game at the free throw line, where they connected on 18-of-25 attempts. Grove City made just five-of-seven foul shots.
Waynesburg returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 1, when Thomas More comes to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
