BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (Jan. 13) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team traveled to Geneva on Saturday for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) contest with the Golden Tornadoes. The Yellow Jackets dropped the conference matchup 72-57.
 
Geneva (7-8, 3-5) raced out to a 19-4 lead after 7:34 of play. Waynesburg (7-8, 3-5) rebounded with a 15-4 run that included three pointers from sophomore guard Sam Heeter, sophomore forward Shane Johnson and senior wing Jon Knab that made the score 23-19 Geneva with just under five minutes remaining until halftime.
 
The Golden Tornadoes countered the surge by ending the opening period on a 12-4 run that brought about a halftime score of 35-23. Waynesburg freshman guard Matt Popeck opened the second half with a three-pointer that shrunk his team's deficit down to nine points (35-26). Unfortunately, that was the last time the Jackets face a single-digit deficit for the remainder of the evening.
 
"There are times throughout the course of the year where we have to really dig in mentally and physically. This is one of those times," said Waynesburg head coach Mark Christner. "We had a poor start and it was too much to overcome. We have to stay committed to getting better."
 
Popeck and Knab tied for the team lead with 12 points each. Junior Nate Gearhart chipped in eight points off the bench.
 
Waynesburg is back in action on Wednesday, when Washington & Jefferson comes to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse for a PAC showdown. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.