WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Jan. 31) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hosted perennial Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) power Saint Vincent at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse on Wednesday night. The Yellow Jackets rebounded from a slow start to take the lead midway through the contest. Unfortunately, the Bearcats regained control of the contest en route to a 77-70 win.
 
Saint Vincent (14-6, 11-2) controlled the early portion of the game and held a 23-13 lead 10 minutes into the contest. A three-pointer by the Bearcats with just over five minutes showing in the first-half clock rebuilt a 10-point advantage for the visiting team. However, a basket by senior wing Jon Knab started a 15-4 run by the home team that allowed them to take a one-point lead into the locker room.
 
Waynesburg (7-13, 3-10) scored the final seven points of the surge thanks to a three-pointer and two free throws by junior wing Nate Gearhart sandwiched around another Knab field goal. By the time the final horn of the half sounded, the Jackets found themselves with a 34-33 edge.
 
After briefly giving the lead back to Saint Vincent to open the second half, layups by freshman guard Matt Popeck, senior wing Kendall Paige and Knab put the Jackets ahead 40-37. Unfortunately for the host squad, Saint Vincent took control of the contest with a 13-0 run that turned a 42-39 Waynesburg advantage into a 52-42 Bearcat lead that lasted for the remainder of the game.
 
"This was a tough result for us tonight," said Waynesburg head coach Mark Christner. "I thought we did a lot of things well. We rebounded and attacked their zone well. We've played better in the last two games, so if we can stick with it, I know the results will change."
 
Knab paced the Jacket offense with a team-high 22 points. He connected on nine-of-18 tries from the floor, including four-of-five attempts from three-point range. He also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Paige went for nine points, six rebounds and a game-high four assists. Popeck and senior forward Mike Nugent both chipped in eight points on the evening.
 
The Jackets out-rebounded Saint Vincent by a 36-29 margin and knocked down six three-pointers to the opposition's three treys. One of the biggest factors to the Bearcat win dealt with the three throw line. Saint Vincent drilled 20-of-32 from the stripe, including a 17-of-25 showing in the second half. Waynesburg recorded five makes on six tries.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Saturday, with a home game against Westminster. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.