GREENVILLE, Pa.. (Jan. 12) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team traveled to Thiel on Saturday for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown with the Tomcats. The Yellow Jackets trailed by just three points heading into the fourth quarter, but a strong finish by the home team closed out a 68-59 final score.
 
Thiel (3-12, 1-6) built a 19-10 lead after the first 8:14 of play, but Waynesburg (3-12, 1-6) closed its deficit to 19-14 by the time the first quarter came to a close.
 
After falling behind 26-18 early in the second, the Jackets ripped off an 11-0 run that gave them a 29-26 advantage with just over five minutes remaining in the half. Waynesburg knocked down three three-pointers during the run, two of which came from freshman guard Haley Porter (Belmont, Ohio \ Union Local).
 
Unfortunately, an 11-4 run to end the quarter allowed the Tomcats to take a 37-33 edge into the locker room at halftime.
 
Thiel led throughout the third quarter, but the Jackets were able to pull to within two points on multiple occasions, before the Tomcats carried a 52-49 advantage into the fourth quarter.
 
Freshman forward Brooke Fuller (Allison Park, Pa. \ Hampton) knocked down a field goal that made the score 52-51. After a field goal from Thiel, senior point guard Monica Starre (Jewett, Ohio / Carrollton) brought the deficit back down to a single point at 54-53.
 
A crucial 6-0 run by the Tomcats put the home team ahead 61-53 and effectively put the game out of reach for Waynesburg, who was unable to generate enough offense for one final run at victory.
 
The Jackets were ultimately done in by an inconsistent offensive performance from the floor. Waynesburg shot 19-of-29 from the floor (27.5 percent) and knocked down six-of-29 three-point attempts (20.7 percent).
 
Though it came in a losing effort, Starre posted her second double-double of the season after setting team highs in points (14) and rebounds (13). She tied teammate Erin Joyce (Pittsburgh, Pa. \ Bishop Canevin) for the game high with four steals before fouling out after 35 minutes on the floor.
 
Porter matched Starre with 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Joyce also fouled out with nine points, five rebounds and a game-high five assists. Fuller tallied 10 points and five boards over just 16 minutes off the bench.
 
Waynesburg is back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 16, when it hosts Bethany. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.