GROVE CITY, Pa. (Jan. 18) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team traveled to Grove City on Saturday night looking to complete a season sweep of the Wolverines. The Yellow Jackets found themselves with the lead during the second half, but couldn't seal the deal in what ended up being a 71-63 win for the home team.
Waynesburg (4-13, 3-6) and Grove City (10-7, 5-4) spent nearly the entire first half trading baskets and leads over 20 hard-fought minutes. By the time the period concluded, Saturday's participants logged nine lead changes and five ties. The Wolverines went into the second half with a 37-35 advantage.
After not leading since the 14:46 mark of the first quarter, a three-pointer from senior wing
Jake Dougherty (New Bethlehem, Pa. / Redbank Valley) put the Jackets ahead 45-43 with 14:24 showing on the game clock.
The Wolverines responded with a 10-0 run that put them ahead 53-45 with under 10 minutes remaining in the contest. The Jackets rebounded with a 13-3 surge of their own that closed the gap to just two points (58-56). Nine of those markers came from the free throw line.
Waynesburg inched even closer to completing its comeback when junior wing
Brennan Smith (New Cumberland, W. Va. / Oak Glen) knocked down a three pointer that made the score 60-59 with 1:57 showing on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the Jackets couldn't take the final step in the comeback. Grove City ended the night by scoring 11 of the final 15 points to close out the victory.
Dougherty put together his most productive offensive effort as a Yellow Jacket by piling up a game-high 21 points on seven-of-11 shooting from the floor. He canned five-of-seven three-point attempts and added a team-high seven rebounds over 27 productive minutes off the bench.
Smith contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while junior guard
Frank Bozicevic added 12 points in the loss, six of which came on a perfect effort at the foul line.
A big reason for the Grove City victory was its work at the free throw line, where the Wolverines connected on 28-of-37 attempts. The Jackets posted a 19-for-23 showing at the charity stripe.
Waynesburg returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 23, for a road PAC game at Chatham. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
