WASHINGTON, Pa. (Feb. 14) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team traveled to Washington & Jefferson for a matchup with its Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival. The Yellow Jackets stuck with the Presidents for most of the evening, but a strong finish by the home team allowed W&J to score an 86-73 win.
 
A game-opening basket by senior Rachel Eng and a three-pointer by senior Addy Knetzer allowed the Jackets (13-11, 10-7) to build a 5-2 lead. The Presidents (21-3, 15-2) responded with a 15-0 run that gave them a 17-5 advantage. W&J maintained double-digit leads throughout the opening quarter and ended the period with a 25-12 lead.
 
After falling behind by as many as 19 points in the second period, Waynesburg clawed its way back into the contest and trailed by just nine with less than two minutes remaining until halftime. Four different Jackets scored during a 10-0 run that made the score 42-33 with 1:43 showing on the first-half clock. However, W&J scored the final four points of the period to take a 46-33 advantage into the locker room.
 
Once again, Waynesburg trimmed away at its sizeable deficit and with a minute remaining in the third quarter, the Jackets were down by just six points (62-56). The Presidents posted the final basket of the period and pulled ahead 64-56 going into the fourth.
 
Unfortunately, the Orange and Black didn't have one final comeback try in it, and W&J pulled away for the win by outscoring the Jackets 22-17 over the final 10 minutes.
 
"I was very disappointed in our effort in the first half. We had a few good moments, but far too few," said Waynesburg head coach Sam Jones. "They are a good team and we did not match their intensity."
 
Waynesburg was led offensively by Knetzer, who tied for the team lead in both scoring (15) and rebounds (eight). Senior Mackenna Drazich chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds of her own on the evening, while junior point guard Monica Starre contributed eight points and eight boards. Eng tallied 11 points in the setback.
 
Waynesburg wraps up its regular season on Saturday, Feb. 17, when it hosts Geneva for senior day. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.