WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Nov. 17) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team opened up the 2015-16 season on Tuesday night by welcoming Penn State Behrend to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. The two squads battled back-and-forth over the majority of the contest, but a big fourth quarter from the Lions allowed them to pull away for a 60-50 win.
 
Things started out well for the Yellow Jackets (0-1), who jumped out to a 7-1 lead over the first 2:41 of play. Sophomore forward Addy Knetzer, senior forward Maura Bobby and senior forward Heather Davis combined for a 7-0 run after Behrend (1-0) opened the scoring with a free throw. Waynesburg maintained multi-basket advantages throughout most of the first quarter, until a field goal by the Lions trimmed the Jacket advantage to 11-8.
 
The two teams went back-and-forth over the entirety of the second period and traded the lead on multiple occasions. By the time halftime rolled around, Waynesburg was clinging to a slim one-point advantage (19-18) in the defensive struggle.
 
Davis opened the scoring in quarter number three with a three-pointer to put her team up 22-18. Six-straight points by the Lions gave them the lead back at 24-22, but a jumper from junior Haley Delaney tied the score back up at 24-24. The rest of the period followed the trend of the night, and after 24 minutes had been contested, Behrend held a 33-32 edge.
 
The Jackets looked poised to take control of the contest by scoring six of the first eight points of the fourth quarter. Again, Knetzer, Bobby and Davis did the damage and with 8:39 left in the night, Waynesburg led 38-35. Unfortunately Behrend was able to produce the biggest run of the night to seal the victory. The Lions exploded for a 21-2 surge that lasted 7:16 and put the visitors ahead 56-40 with just over three minutes showing on the clock. Waynesburg ended the game on a 10-4 run to narrow the gap to a 10-points loss.  
 
Davis led the way for the Jackets with a double-double effort. She recorded game highs in both points (15) and rebounds (16). She also shot 50 percent (six-for-12) from the floor and from beyond the three-point arc (three-for-six). Bobby and junior guard Kassidy O'Keefe chipped in eight points each in the loss.
 
With the exception of Behrend's late run, defense was the name of the game for the evening. The two teams combined to force 58 turnovers, including 27 by steals. The Lions ultimately won the game at the free throw line and on the glass. Behrend connected on 21-of-39 attempts from the charity stripe, while Waynesburg converted just seven-of-11 tries. The visitors also held a 49-39 advantage in rebounding.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Friday, Nov. 20, when they travel to Alliance, Ohio, to take part in the two-day Purple Raider Shootout, which is hosted by the University of Mount Union. Waynesburg is scheduled to face Case Western Reserve at 5 p.m.