WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 28) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team hosted Thiel on Saturday for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown. The Yellow Jackets shook off a slow start to defeat the Tomcats 55-47.
 
The win moved the Jackets (12-7, 8-4) into a tie for third place in the PAC. The victory didn't come easily, however, as Thiel (4-15, 1-11) stymied the Orange and Black offense and built a 32-22 halftime lead.
 
The home team bounced back starting in the third quarter, which it won by a 17-to-eight margin. Trailing by just one point (40-39) heading into the fourth, Waynesburg's defense kept the clamps down on the Tomcat attack, holding the visiting team to just seven points in the fourth quarter.
 
An early three-pointer in the final period gave Thiel a 43-39 lead, but the Jackets answered the challenge with five-straight points courtesy of junior Mackenna Drazich. Waynesburg's 44-43 lead was short-lived, as the Tomcats scored to regain a one-point lead.
 
That was the last time Thiel held the advantage on the afternoon, as the Jackets pieced together a 9-0 run that lasted 3:49. Back-to-back layups by junior forward Addy Knetzer and senior guard Katie Gehlmann put Waynesburg ahead 48-45 with four minutes showing on the clock. Five-straight free throws completed the surge that put the host squad ahead 53-45 with just under 45 seconds remaining in the contest.
 
Gehlmann paced the Waynesburg offense with a game-high 16 points. Knetzer and sophomore Monica Starre chipped in nine points and nine rebounds each to the winning effort. Drazich came off the bench to contribute eight points and six rebounds to the winning effort.
 
After playing three-straight games at home, Waynesburg will hit the road to face Saint Vincent on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.