HAMBURG, N.Y. (Nov. 17) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team wrapped up its weekend at the Ninth Annual Hilbert College Hawks Against Hunger Tip-Off Tournament with a Saturday game against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Yellow Jackets fell 75-52 to the Engineers.
 
The loss was a disappointing one for the Yellow Jackets (0-2), who built a 29-25 lead. After giving up the first basket of the game, Waynesburg rebounded with back-to-back two-pointers from junior Frank Bozicevic (Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway) and sophomore Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) that gave the Jackets their first lead of the young season.
 
The game stayed tight throughout most of the opening period. RPI (1-1) led 19-16 with 5:38 showing on the first-half clock. Waynesburg answered with its biggest offensive run of the game. Popeck got it started with a jumper and was followed by a three-pointer from senior Nate Gearhart (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon).
 
Junior Brennan Smith (New Cumberland, W.Va. / Oak Glen) joined in the run and by the time it concluded with two points from junior Shane Johnson (Shadyside, Ohio / Shadyside), Waynesburg found itself with a 25-19 edge with 2:31 left to play until halftime. After the Engineers halted the surge with a free throw, Popeck and Johnson responded with back-to-back field goals to build a team game-high 29-20 lead.
 
RPI closed out the first 20 minutes of play by scoring the final five points.
 
Waynesburg opened the second half with a pair of Popeck free throws to rebuild a six-point advantage. Unfortunately, that was the last time the Jackets led on the day, as the Engineer offense exploded for a 20-0 run that lasted roughly 5:30 and put Waynesburg in a 47-33 hole. The Jackets never got closer than 12 points to completing a comeback.
 
"We haven't found our offensive rhythm yet," said Waynesburg head coach Mark Christner. "That hurt us today more than anything. It will come."

For the second-straight game, Popeck, who was also named to the all-tournament team, led Waynesburg in the scoring column with a team-high 14 points. Johnson tallied eight points over 18 minutes off the bench, while Gearhart tallied seven over 13 minutes as a reserve.
 
Popeck and senior Clay Carper (Avon, Ohio / Lutheran West) tied for the team lead with six rebounds.
 
Shortly after returning to Waynesburg, the Jackets will head back to the state of New York to face Fredonia on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.