PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Feb. 8) – For the second time this season, the Waynesburg University men's basketball team went to overtime with Chatham in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) matchup. Unfortunately, the final outcome was no different, as the Cougars pulled off an 87-85 victory.
 
Unlike the first meeting, which saw Chatham (9-13, 5-10) outscore Waynesburg 10-4 in overtime, Wednesday night's extra period was as thrilling as the 40 regulation minutes. Junior wing Jon Knab staked the Jackets (6-16, 4-11) to a five-point lead (75-70) on a pair of baskets. The home team rebounded with a 7-2 run of its own to tie the game 77-77 with 1:54 showing on the game clock.
 
Unfortunately, the Cougars' surge continued until they had built an 82-77 edge, mostly from the free throw line, with just 28 seconds left to play. Waynesburg freshman Sam Heeter kept the Jackets in the game with a basket to make the score 82-79.
 
With time winding down under 20 seconds left to play, the Jackets were forced to foul and continue sending Chatham to the charity stripe. To Waynesburg's credit, it never gave up the ship, despite constantly having to give the Cougars free points at the line.
 
Trailing 86-82 with just nine seconds left to play, sophomore Nate Gearhart knocked down the game's final field goal from long range to pull the Jackets to within one point. Waynesburg was able to execute a quick foul with under three seconds on the clock, and the Cougars managed to make just one of the ensuing free throws.
 
The Orange and Black had one last chance for a miracle comeback, but a turnover on the final play of the game put an end to the thrilling contest.
 
As exciting as the overtime period proved to be, the end of regulation provided one of the game's biggest highlights. With the Cougars clinging to a 70-68 edge and time winding away, Waynesburg got the ball back thanks to a Chatham turnover. Sophomore wing Brennan Smith temporarily saved the day for the Jackets when he gathered in an offensive rebound and dropped in the game-tying hoop to beat the buzzer.
 
Chatham held a 32-25 lead at halftime, but the Jackets bounced back in the second half to grab a pair of one-point leads.
 
Waynesburg suffered the disappointing loss despite holding noticeable advantages in several statistical categories. The Yellow Jackets out-rebounded the Cougars 42-to-22. The visiting team also shot 52.7 percent from the floor, while the host team connected on 47.2 percent of its field goal attempts.
 
Though it came in a losing effort, Knab not only set a new personal collegiate best with 29 points, but it marked the most points scored by a Waynesburg player since B.J. Durham dropped in 29 on Jan. 22, 2016. Knab shot 10-of-17 from the floor, five-for-five at the foul line and tied for the game lead with nine rebounds.
 
Smith went a perfect six-for-six from the field during a 13-point night and tied Knab with nine boards. Junior forward Marcus Wallace also chipped in 13 points, nine of which came from the free throw line.
 
Freshman point guard Frank Bozicevic dished out a game and personal collegiate-high eight assists in his first collegiate start. Freshman Cam Auld scored a personal-best 10 points off the bench thanks to a flawless four-for-four shooting night.
 
Waynesburg returns home on Saturday to host Thomas More for senior day. Tipoff at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.