ERIE, Pa. (Nov. 13) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team traveled north for a solid non-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) test in the form of Penn State Behrend on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets used their stingy defense to pull out a 60-57 victory in overtime.
Things didn't start well for Waynesburg (1-1), which trailed 22-11 with 5:32 remaining in the first half. However, the Yellow Jackets reversed their fortune over the remainder of the opening 20 minutes by finishing the period on a 15-2 run to take a 26-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. Six of those points came courtesy of first-year graduate student
Nijon Kirkman (Cleveland, Ohio / John Jay).
The score remained close throughout the first 8:30 of the second half. A three-pointer by senior guard
Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) followed by layup from sophomore guard
Bryson Wilt (Oakland, Md. / Southern Garrett) finally gave Waynesburg a bit of breathing room as the Jackets led 43:36 with 11:17 showing on the clock.
Roughly three minutes later, another Popeck trey gave the Jackets the largest lead of the game for either squad at 50-40. However, Penn State Behrend (1-1) wasn't ready to give up the fight, and outscored the visiting team 1-44 over the final 8:29 of the game. The Lions hoisted a pair of shots over the final 31 seconds of regulation, but neither found the mark and the game went into overtime with the score knotted at 54-54.
A one-for-two effort from the foul line 24 seconds into extra time gave Behrend a slim 55-54 advantage. However, a pair of Kirkman layups sandwiched around a Lion field goal had the Jackets ahead 58-57. Kirkman then closed the game scoring with 1:18 remaining in OT to bring about the final score of 60-57.
Waynesburg's defensive prowess was on full display in the victory, as it stifled a Behrend offense that tallied 74 points in its season opener on Wednesday.
For a second-straight game, Popeck led the Jackets in scoring, this time going for a game-high 18 points. Kirkman produced his first double-double in Orange and Black by putting up 12 points and yanking down a contest-best 11 rebounds.
Sophomore
Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) nearly posted a double-double of his own on nine points and nine boards. Wilt was impressively efficient in logging his 13 points, as he connected on six-of-eight field goal attempts.
The Jacket defense limited Behrend to just an 18-for-55 shooting night (32.7%) and an eight-for-35 three-point showing (22.9%) from three-point range.
Waynesburg is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 20, when it travels to Hiram. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
