WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Nov. 24) – Saturday's women's basketball matchup between Waynesburg and visiting Pitt Greensburg couldn't have featured two more different halves. After both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm, the Bobcats dominated the third quarter to the tune of a 25-8 advantage. The Yellow Jackets rebounded in a big way by exploding for 29 points in the fourth and pulling out a 71-67 victory at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.
 
Waynesburg (2-3) and UPG (1-3) battled over the first 20 minutes and by the time they broke for halftime, the Yellow Jackets were clinging to a 34-31 edge. Despite the close score, there were some rather noticeable statistical differentials between the two squads.
 
The Bobcats held a sizeable 24-11 advantage in rebounding. The Jackets, on the other hand, dished out 11 assists to Greensburg's seven helpers. UPG also committed 13 turnovers to Waynesburg's seven, with the home team holding a seven-to-two edge in steals.
 
As previously mentioned, the third quarter belonged to the visitors. Waynesburg still led by a point two minutes into the period, but Greensburg ripped off a 12-point run that seemingly put the Blue and Gold ahead by 11 (49-38) with 2:49 showing on the clock. The Bobcats ended the third by outscoring Waynesburg 7-4. However, the final two points of the period came off a pair of free throws from sophomore Elena McDermott (Slippery Rock, Pa. / Slippery Rock) that gave a taste of what was coming in the fourth quarter.
 
McDermott made it five-straight points scored by knocking down a three pointer to open the final period. Three-straight points bumped UPG's lead back up to 14 points (59-45) with 8:15 remaining in the contest. Waynesburg then began the process of slowly chipping away at its double-digit deficit.
 
The Orange and Black began with a 7-0 surge that was capped by a three-pointer from junior guard Erin Joyce (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Bishop Canevin) that made the score 59-52. An 8-4 stretch pulled the Jackets to within three at 63-60 with 2:42 remaining in the contest.
 
The game really turned 30 seconds later when a technical foul against UPG allowed Joyce to knock down three-of-four free throws. Those were followed by a McDermott layup that tied the game at 65-65 with just over two minutes remaining in the contest.
 
After the two teams traded free throws with just under minute left to play, sophomore Andrea Orlosky (Shelocta, Pa. / West Shamokin) dropped in a go-ahead layup with 25 seconds showing on the clock. A Pitt Greensburg turnover followed quickly by a foul put Orlosky at the line with a chance to seal the win, which she did by calmly stroking two free throws with 13 seconds showing on the clock.
 
Pitt Greensburg managed two more shots before the final horn sounded, but neither found the mark and the Jackets celebrated one of their gutsiest victories in recent memory.
 
Orlosky continued a strong start to her season by tallying a game-high 21 points on eight-of-15 shooting from the field and a perfect five-for-five effort at the foul line. She added six rebounds, three assists and two steals to her day.
 
Orlosky led a quartet of double-digit scorers for the victors. McDermott and Joyce chipped in 16 points each to the winning effort, with McDermott adding a squad-best eight rebounds to her day. Freshman Brooke Fuller (Allison Park, Pa. / Hampton) provided a solid interior presence for Waynesburg and went for 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
 
It was a rough day for freshman Haley Porter (Belmont, Ohio / Union Local), who fouled out after just 22 minutes on the court. However, she managed to hand out five assists before having to leave the contest.
 
Waynesburg managed to grab the win despite being on the wrong end of a 42-27 rebounding difference. Both teams made the most of their opportunities in the foul shooting game. Waynesburg knocked down an impressive 12-of-13 tries, while the Bobcats were successful on 10-of-13 attempts from the stripe.
 
Waynesburg is back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 28, when it opens Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play against Grove City. Tip-off from the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.