Box Score

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Feb. 15) – Saturday's game against Westminster looked like it was going to be one to remember for the Waynesburg women's basketball team. The Yellow Jackets had just honored their lone senior, forward Elaine Hasek, before tipoff, and held a 17-point halftime lead over Westminster, in an important Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown. However, by the time the buzzer sounded, the Jacket women could only watch in shock as the Titans celebrated a last-second three-pointer that gave the visiting team a 77-76 win.
 
The loss dropped Waynesburg (12-11, 10-6) back into a tie for fourth place with Westminster (13-10, 10-6), but the Titans' two-game sweep of the Jackets would give them the tie-breaker for fourth place and the home playoff game that comes with it.
 
The Jackets dominated the first 20 minutes of play. Not only did they shoot 54 percent from the field, but they held Westminster to 27 percent shooting from the floor. The Titans jumped out to a 13-10 lead, but were held without a field goal over the next 9:36 of play. Waynesburg built up a 43-30 lead with 3:34 left in the half, but the advantage could have been much larger if not for a 14-for-14 showing by the Titans at the free throw line.
 
The home team went into the locker room with a 56-39 lead at the break and looked poised for a big win in front of the crowd gathered at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. Unfortunately, the stoppage in play seemed to have cooled off the red hot Yellow Jackets, who gave up a 6-1 run to open the half that made the score 57-45 after 5:15 of play.
 
The Titans continued their outstanding work at the free throw line in period number two, and made improvements from the floor. However, it was Westminster's defense that made the biggest difference in the win. The visitors held Waynesburg to just 15 percent (six-of-40) shooting over the final 20 minutes of play, including a one-for-13 performance from three-point range.
 
With 17 seconds left in the contest, Hasek went to the line and connected on one-of-two free throws that put Waynesburg ahead 76-74. After the Jackets took a timeout to set up their defense, Westminster's Courtney Zitt popped open for the eventual game-winning three-pointer with around four second left on the clock. The Jackets set up their offense following a Titan timeout, but were unable to get off a potential game-winning shot.
 
Saturday's game was ultimately decided at the free throw line, where Westminster connected on an amazing 31-of-34 foul shots (91.2 percent). Waynesburg countered with 19-of-30 successful free throws.
 
The Jackets were led by freshman forward Courtney Sargent, who ripped down a game-high 19 rebounds, completed a double-double with 11 points, and swatted away a contest-best four blocks. Freshman guard Katie Gehlmann came off the bench to score a team-high 19 points, while Hasek chipped in 15 points over 35 minutes of play.
 
Waynesburg still has a shot at a home playoff game, but will likely need to win its final two contests of the season. The first challenge comes on Wednesday, Feb. 19, when Saint Vincent comes to the Marisa Fieldhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.