MEADVILLE, Pa. (Nov. 15) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team tipped off its 2019-20 season on Friday night at Allegheny College's Greg Richards '08 Memorial Classic. The Yellow Jackets trailed by double digits at halftime and wound up on the wrong end of a 78-58 final score against John Carroll.
 
The game marked the debut of new Waynesburg (0-1) head coach Tim Fusina.
 
The early minutes of the contest saw the Jackets take leads of 4-0, 6-4 and 8-7, the last of which came 4:46 into the first half. Unfortunately, JCU (1-0) embarked on a 16-4 run over the next five minutes that gave the Blue Streaks a 23-12 advantage.
 
Waynesburg never regained its early lead and the Streaks' edge eventually grew into 42-29 at halftime. JCU outscored the Orange and Black 36-29 in the second half to close out the night.
 
Junior guard Matt Popeck (Washington Pa. / Washington) led Waynesburg with a team-high 16 points. Two of his five field goals were three-pointers. He added four rebounds and three assists to his 2019-20 debut.
 
Sophomore Isaiah Alonzo (Chandler, Ariz. / Tri-City Christian Academy) and senior Sam Heeter (New Bethlehem, Pa. / Redbank Valley) chipped in nine points each in the setback. Senior Cam Auld (North Huntingdon, Pa. / Norwin) pulled down a squad-best five rebounds, while Popeck and Alonzo tied for the team lead with three assists each.
 
The Yellow Jackets will face the host Gators tomorrow at 5 p.m. to complete their run at the Richard '08 Memorial Classic.