NEW CONCORD, Ohio (Dec. 20) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hit the road on Wednesday for a meeting with Muskingum. For a second-straight night, the Yellow Jacket offense was clicking on all cylinders, as the Orange and Black won its third-straight game, this one by a final score of 84-78.
 
The Jackets' (4-5) most recent win marked the third time they have scored at least 80 points this season. It also gave the team its first three-game winning streak since the 2015-16 campaign and ended Waynesburg's four-game losing streak against Muskingum (4-5).
 
"This was really a gut check tonight for our guys," said Waynesburg head coach Mark Christner. "To sweep this back-to-back speaks volumes about the leadership and character of our group."
 
The Yellow Jackets shot 52.5 percent from the floor (32-of-61) and connected on six-of-14 three-point attempts (42.9). The visiting team's efficiency extended to the foul line, where it drilled 14-of-19 tries.
 
The Muskies opened the game by taking an 11-7 lead. With 13:10 left in the first half, Waynesburg senior center Mike Nugent connected on a layup and was sent to the line following a foul. Nugent completed the three-point play to close the deficit to 11-10.
 
Just under 30 seconds later, senior wing Jon Knab gave Waynesburg the lead with a layup that made the score 12-11. The Yellow Jacket run continued as sophomore guard Frank Bozicevic tallied five of the game's next seven point to extend the Orange and Black's advantage to 17-13.
 
Muskingum bounced back with a 7-1 surge that gave the host squad a 20-18 edge with 8:59 showing on the first-half clock. However, Waynesburg closed out the first half on a 19-8 run that included baskets from five different players. By the time the two teams reported to their respective locker rooms, the Jackets found themselves ahead 37-28.
 
Waynesburg never trailed in the second half and built up leads as large as 17 points. To Muskingum's credit, it never gave up and battled until the final whistle. With 2:08 remaining in the contest, the Muskies pieced together six-straight points to make the score 80-74 with 44 seconds remaining in the game.
 
A combined four free throws from Bozicevic and senior forward Marcus Wallace helped seal up the win for Waynesburg. All of the makes were crucial, as Muskingum knocked down a pair of foul shots, as well as the game's final field goal with two seconds left to play.
 
Four Jackets reached double digits in scoring in the win, including Knab, who eclipsed the 20-point mark for a second-straight night. He poured in a team-high 21 on eight-of-16 shooting from the floor and a perfect four-for-four showing at the stripe. Knab also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists.
 
Bozicevic came off the bench to pour in 15 points on a five-for-nine shooting effort. He added six rebounds and swiped away a game-high four steals. Wallace contributed 12 points to the winning effort, as did freshman Kaleb McDiffit, who was making his first collegiate start in place of the team's leading scorer Matt Popeck, who was out with an illness.
 
"The mark of a true team is to have guys step up when called upon," Christner said. "A positive response in life is one of the most important things we can all learn."
 
For a second-straight game, senior wing Kendall Paige paced his team on the glass, this time pulling down a team-best eight rebounds. Speaking of boards, Waynesburg held a 39-33 advantage in that statistical category.
 
Waynesburg now gets to step away from the court to celebrate Christmas. The Jackets return to competition on Friday, Dec. 29, when they head to the two-day Purple and Gold Tournament, which is hosted by Defiance.