WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 5) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team jumped out to a big early lead, but couldn't parlay it into a victory during Thursday night's home game with Chatham. The Yellow Jackets opened 2017 with a 71-65 overtime loss to the Cougars.
 
Waynesburg (4-8, 2-3) built a 9-0 lead following 6:50 of play in the first half. Chatham (5-7, 1-4) responded with a 14-6 stretch that whittled the Yellow Jacket lead down to a single point (15-14) with just under nine points left to play until halftime.
 
After the early scoring runs from both participants, almost all of the remainder of regulation was played with neither team building a lead larger than two baskets. Senior guard Timmy Kaiser's basket with 34 seconds remaining in the first half put the Jackets ahead 25-20. However, the Cougars got the last laugh with two free throws that made the halftime score 25-22.
 
An old fashioned three-point play by sophomore wing Brennan Smith to open period number two gave Waynesburg a six-point lead at 28-22. It was the largest advantage either team could muster in the second half.
 
Senior guard Christian Koroly dropped in a big layup with 2:17 showing on the game clock to nudge the Orange and Black's lead up to 61-56. Unfortunately, Chatham was able to score the final five points of regulation time to send the contest into overtime.
 
Waynesburg never led in the five extra minutes, as the Cougars scored the first five points of the extra period to build a 66-61 advantage. The Jackets got as close as three points to pulling out the victory, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell short of its goal.
 
Junior forward Marcus Wallace paced the Jacket offense with a team-high 17 points on eight-of-11 shooting from the floor. Junior wing Jon Knab posted his first double-double of the season thanks to 11 points and a game-best 12 rebounds. Koroly chipped in 10 points on the night.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 7, when they head to Westminster. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.