WESTERVILLE, Ohio (Dec. 30) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team finished its two-day run at the Smokey Ballenger Classic on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets bounced back from a loss on Friday by beating host Otterbein 76-66.
 
Waynesburg (7-4) saw a three-point lead disappear at the end of the first quarter thanks to an 8-0 run by the Cardinals (5-6) that gave them a 22-17 edge after the first 10 minutes of action. The Jackets were able to erase the deficit with a 7-0 surge over the first two minutes of the second quarter. The two teams traded the leads multiple times over the remainder of the period and by the time halftime came around, the host team was clinging to a 36-34 edge.
 
Senior guard Katie Gehlmann opened the second half with a three-pointer that put the Jackets back ahead 37-36. The two squads continued to pass the lead back and forth over the opening portion of the third quarter, until a surge of offense for Waynesburg not only gave the Orange and Black a solid lead, but control of the game as well.
 
The Jackets trailed 41-40 with 7:23 showing on the third-quarter clock. However, five straight points that came via free throws put them ahead 45-41. Another Gehlmann trey put the visiting squad up 48-41 with 5:33 left in the period. It was a lead that was never relinquished by the victors.
 
After outscoring Otterbein 24-17 in the third quarter, Waynesburg put the contest out of reach by taking the fourth 18-13. The Jackets were able to put the game away down the stretch from the free throw line. The Orange and Black connected on 16-of-32 tries from the stripe, while Otterbein hit on 10-of-19 attempts.
 
Gehlmann paced Waynesburg offensively with a game-high 21 points. Five of her seven made field goals were from three-point range.
 
Senior forward Haley Delaney recorded her second double-double in her last three games by posting 13 points and 10 rebounds. Her three blocks against Otterbein give her 11 swats in her last three contests.
 
Sophomore guard Anna Bartman connected on four-of-seven field goal attempts, all of which were from three-point range for 12 points off the bench. Junior forward Addy Knetzer piled up a game-high 12 rebounds to go with seven points.
 
With the 2016 portion of its schedule complete, Waynesburg will tip off the new year on Thursday with a home Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game against Chatham. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.