WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Nov. 15) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team opened up the 2014-15 season on Saturday with a home game against Muskingum University. The Yellow Jackets battled well against the Muskies, but came up just short in a 70-65 contest.
 
Muskingum (1-0) came out hot against the home-standing Yellow Jackets (0-1) by opening up a 12-2 lead after 3:22 of play. The Yellow Jackets were able to trim the deficit down at times over the first 20 minutes of action, and a pair of free throws from senior wing Jacob Fleegle pulled Waynesburg to within five points (36-31) at halftime.
 
Senior Kenny Klase pulled his team to within three (36-33) with a layup to open the second-half scoring. Four unanswered points from Muskingum bumped the Muskie advantage back up seven at 40-33, but Waynesburg was poised to make a serious run at the lead.
 
The Jackets broke off a 7-0 run over nearly three minutes to tie things up at 40-40. It was the first time Muskingum didn't hold the lead since game tipped off. The Muskies regained the advantage on a pair of free throws, but the home team responded with a 7-4 surge that culminated with a layup by senior forward Jason Propst. With 10:19 left to play, the Jackets took its first advantage at 47-46.
 
Unfortunately, a three-pointer by the Muskies on their next possession put them back in the lead at 49-47. That trey continued a tightly fought contest that saw Muskingum holding a 67-65 edge with just 30 seconds left to play.
 
A successful foul shot pushed the visitors' lead to 68-65 with 28 seconds showing on the clock. Fleegle had a chance to tie the game on the next Jacket possession, but a three-point attempt from the senior standout failed to reach the bottom of the net and Muskingum closed out the victory with a pair of clutch free throws.
 
Fleegle led the way for the Jackets by pouring in a team-high 20 points on seven-of-16 shooting. First-year transfer D.J. Ritchie made a good first impression on his new teammates by connecting on all four of his field goal tries, including three attempts from downtown, for 12 points over 16 minutes off the bench. Propst paced Waynesburg on the boards with a squad-best seven rebounds.
 
Waynesburg returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 18, with a road trip to national powerhouse Marietta. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.