WASHINGTON, Pa. (Feb. 12) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team outplayed Washington & Jefferson in several key categories during Wednesday night's Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown. However, the host Presidents' sizeable advantage at the free throw line ultimately doomed the Yellow Jackets on the evening, who dropped a 71-65 final score.
 
Waynesburg (4-18, 4-9) held edges in total field goals made (26-to-25) and successful three-pointers (eight-to-six). The Jackets also turned the ball over just eight times, while the Presidents (13-10, 8-6) gave up possession on 16 occasions.
 
Unfortunately, the Jackets suffered through one of, if not their worst performance of the season at the charity stripe, where they converted just five-of-13 opportunities. W&J, on the other hand, knocked down 15-of-19 attempts.
 
The first time these two teams met up this year, it was Waynesburg erasing a 14-point halftime advantage on its way to a decisive 15-point victory. Wednesday night saw the Yellow Jackets build a 38-28 lead at the break, only to see the Presidents come back with a big second half to grab the victory.
 
Waynesburg never trailed during the opening 20 minutes of play and led by as many as 13 points (35-22) before the two teams broke for their respective locker rooms. A 19-8 period-opening run gave the home team its first edge of the night at 47-46. A field goal by sophomore Isaiah Alonzo (Chandler, Ariz. / Tri-City Christian Academy) put the Jackets back up 48-47 and seemed to right the ship somewhat, as the visiting team continued to lead until the 34:44 mark of the contest.
 
A pair of W&J free throws with 5:16 showing on the game block put the Presidents ahead 60-59. They never trailed for the remainder of the contest. Those two successful tries from the stripe were part of a 9-0 performance at the foul line over the final six minutes. W&J went 14-of-16 in foul shots in the second half. Waynesburg, on the other hand, was one-of-seven.
 
Though it didn't lead to a win, senior Brennan Smith (New Cumberland, W.Va. / Oak Glen) put on a show from three-point range. He knocked down five-of-seven from long distance on his way to a game-high 21 points. He also grabbed six rebounds, handed out two assists and swiped away two steals.
 
Alonzo chipped in 16 points and six rebounds of his own, while shooting a respectable seven-of-12 from the floor, while senior Cam Auld (North Huntingdon, Pa. / Norwin) contributed eight point and six boards on the evening. Senior forward Frank Bozicevic (Monroeville, Pa. / Gateway) posted game highs in both assists (four) and steals (three).
 
The Jackets are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 15, when they host Saint Vincent for senior day. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.