OBERLIN, Ohio (Nov. 30) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team returned to competition two days after Thanksgiving with a road trip to Oberlin. The Yellow Jackets played right with the Yeomen throughout the first half. Unfortunately, the second 20 minutes didn't go as well, as the home team pulled away for an 80-55 win.
 
Waynesburg (0-6) held just one lead on the day, a 2-0 advantage after sophomore Isaiah Alonzo (Chandler, Ariz. / Tri-City Christian Academy) laid in the game's first field goal. Oberlin (5-2) answered with 12-straight points to build a 10-point advantage.
 
To the Jackets' credit, they battled back throughout the entirety of the opening period. A three-pointer by senior guard Frank Bozicevic (Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway) pulled Waynesburg to within a single point (33-32) with 2:36 showing on the clock. However, a half-ending 6-0 surge by the Yeomen gave them a 39-32 advantage at the break.
 
Senior Brennan Smith (New Cumberland, W.Va. / Oak Glen) knocked down a three-pointer to open period number two and reduce Waynesburg's deficit to 39-35. Oberlin allowed the visitors to get no closer to tying the game, as they outscored Waynesburg 41-23 over the final 20 minutes of action.
 
Alonzo led the Yellow Jackets in scoring and rebounding with 14 and seven, respectively. The 6-10 sophomore not only tied for the game lead in boards, but he also swiped a contest-best four steals.
 
Smith added 14 points of his own on the day, while freshman guard Ryan Felberg (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) tallied seven points in his first collegiate start.
 
Shooting woes from the floor hampered Waynesburg's chances at victory. The Jackets connected on 19-of-51 attempts (37.3 %), while Oberlin shot 54.3 % from the field (25-of-46). The Orange and Black continued to be one of the top free throw shooting team in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), as it connected on 13-of-15 foul shots (86.7 %).
 
Waynesburg will look to shake off a rough start to the year when it travels to Grove City to open PAC play on Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.