WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Nov. 19) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team made its season debut during Saturday's home game against Muskingum. A young Yellow Jackets team (two seniors) stayed right with the Muskies into the third quarter, but a big run from the visiting team ultimately spelled doom for Waynesburg, which fell 78-62.
 
Trailing 39-34 at halftime, junior wing Jon Knab knocked down a three-pointer to open the second half that pulled Waynesburg (0-1) to within two points of Muskingum (2-0). The Jackets continued to hound the visitors and with 15:54 remaining in the game, sophomore wing Brennan Smith converted a steal by first-year junior transfer Marcus Wallace into a layup that knotted the score at 47-47 just over four minutes into the period.
 
Unfortunately, the Muskies did an excellent job of regrouping with a timeout following the hoop and ultimately put the game out of reach over the next six-plus minutes. During that stretch, the visitors exploded for a 16-0 run that concluded with the eventual game-winning basket. By the time another newcomer, junior forward Mike Nugent, broke the scoring streak with a layup, Muskingum had taken a 63-49 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
 
Waynesburg was able to whittle its deficit down to eight point (69-61) with just over three minutes to play thanks to a Knab three-pointer. However, that was as close as the home team came to completing the comeback.
 
Knab rose to the challenge of being one of this year's veteran leaders by leading Waynesburg in scoring (14) and rebounding (nine). He also finished second on the team in minutes played with 30.
 
Several of this year's newcomers made noticeable impacts in their first games under veteran head coach Mark Christner. Freshman Nick Valentic was the game's leading scorer after the first half with nine points, which was wound up being his game total. He also pulled down four rebounds.
 
Wallace was Waynesburg's second leading scorer with 10 points. In all, five new members of the Jacket roster, including freshman guards Frank Bozicevic and Jo Jo West saw court time on Saturday.
 
The Orange and Black will take another crack at their first win of the winter on Tuesday, Nov. 22, when they travel to Frostburg State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.