CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (Dec. 2) – For a second-straight season, the Waynesburg University men's basketball team went to overtime during a road trip to Thomas More. Unfortunately, for a second-straight season, the Yellow Jackets also came up short of victory in an 85-83 setback. The game served as the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opener for both squads.
 
The loss was particularly frustrating for the Yellow Jackets (0-5, 0-1) who raced out to a 22-5 lead after just 7:05 of play. Six different Jackets scored during the opening rally, which was answered by a 12-0 Saint (2-3, 1-0) run that cut the Waynesburg advantage all the way down to just five points (22-17).
 
Thomas More continued to control play for the remainder of the first half and led 39-37 with less than a minute remaining before the break. However, sophomore Jon Knabb was able to tie the game up at 39-39 by putting back a missed three-pointer from senior guard B.J. Durham with no time left on the clock.
 
While the first half featured big runs by both squads, neither team held a lead larger than seven points during the final 20 minutes of action. A Durham free throw put his team up 75-73 with 1:52 remaining in the contest, but the Saints responded with a pair of foul shots 40 seconds later. Defense ruled the last one minute-plus of play and the two squads went to overtime tied at 75-75.
 
The extra period played out like a continuation of the second half with neither team holding leads larger than four points. The Jackets were down four just 22 seconds left in the game, before Knabb connected on a layup with 13 seconds showing on the clock. Five seconds later, senior wing D.J. Ritchie stole the ball away and had a chance to tie the score or pull out a last-second victory. Unfortunately, his attempt did not find its mark and the Saints escaped with the win.
 
Ritchie led Waynesburg with a team-high 17 points on eight-of-17 shooting. Durham chipped in 17 points, while senior forward Nate Labishak went for a season-high 15 points on a very efficient seven-of-nine effort from the floor. The Waynesburg defense piled up 17 steals and forced a total of 23 Thomas More turnovers.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 5, when they head to Grove City. Tipoff between the two PAC rivals is scheduled for 3 p.m.