ERIE, Pa. (Nov. 17) – Sophomore
Andrea Orlosky (Shelocta, Pa. / West Shamokin) put together one of the most impressive offensive performances in recent program history to drive the Waynesburg University women's basketball team to its first win of the 2018-19 campaign. Orlosky's 33-point outburst was the central force in the Yellow Jackets' 73-68 overtime victory over Fredonia on Saturday. The win came in game two of this weekend's Behrend Tip-Off Tournament.
Orlosky's performance marked the highest single-game scoring output since the 2002-03 season, when Candice Eyerman dropped 33 against Frostburg State. What made the performance even more impressive was that she did it without a made three-pointer. Orlosky connected on nine-of-19 free throw tries and 15-of-20 foul shots. She also yanked down a team-high eight rebounds and swiped away a game-high five steals.
Things started slowly for the Yellow Jackets (1-3), who trailed 18-9 after the first quarter. However, Waynesburg bounced back with a 25-point outburst in period number two and by the time the halftime buzzer went off, the Jackets were clinging to a 34-33 edge.
Waynesburg grew its lead to seven points (53-46) after winning the third quarter 19-13. Things tightened up to 63-63 with just over a minute left in regulation. An Orlosky free throw with 21 seconds showing on the clock gave the Jackets a 64-63 edge, but the Blue Devils (0-2) had a chance to pull out the win after Waynesburg committed a potentially costly foul with 16 seconds left in the fourth.
Thankfully for the Jackets, only one of the two free throws found its mark. Waynesburg had two chances to pull out the win in regulation, but neither attempt found the bottom of the hoop and the game went into overtime.
After falling behind 68-65 in the first two minutes of OT, the Orange and Black bounced back with the final eight points of the afternoon. After a jumper by freshman center
Brooke Fuller (Allison Park, Pa. / Hampton) made the score 68-67, Orlosky tallied the final six points of contest on a basket and a perfect four-for-four effort at the line over the final 1:29.
Along with Orlosky's dominant performance, Waynesburg got 11 and 10 points from sophomore
Elena McDermott (Slippery Rock, Pa. / Slippery Rock) and Fuller, respectively.
Waynesburg benefited from 31 Fredonia turnovers and overcame a 54-42 rebounding deficit.
The Yellow Jackets are off until Saturday, Nov. 24, when they host Pitt Greensburg. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
