HIRAM, Ohio (Nov. 20) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hit the road on Saturday for a non-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown with Hiram. The Yellow Jackets need a little extra time to get the job done, but after 45 minutes of game time, they earned a 73-67 win over the Terriers.
Things started slowly for Waynesburg (2-1), as Hiram (2-2) built an early 8-2 lead and continued to hold the edge until a three-pointer by senior guard Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) gave the Jackets their first lead (13-12) 6:15 into the contest.
Hiram answered back in a big way by reeling off a 13-2 run that lasted 5:30 and put the host squad ahead 25-15 with 8:16 remaining in the first half. The Terriers led for the remainder of the period, but the Jackets were able to slowly whittle their deficit down a single basket before halftime. Another Popeck field goal, this one coming with 1:37 showing on the clock, made the score 37-34 at the break.
Hiram re-established multi-basket leads throughout the early portion of the second half. However, with 14:34 remaining in the contest, the Jackets embarked on a 7-0 run that turned a six-point deficit into a 49-48 advantage with 11:03 showing on the game clock. Sophomore guard Jake Scheidt (Saxonburg, Pa. / Knoch) punctuated the run with a go-ahead three-pointer.
After the Terriers briefly regained the lead, the Jackets jumped back into the lead and stayed ahead of the host squad until the 79:43 mark of regulation. With Waynesburg leading 63-61, Hiram knocked down a game-tying jump shot that sent the game into overtime.
The Yellow Jackets' stout defense took over in the five-minute extra frame as the Terriers were limited to just four points. Waynesburg, on the other hand, tallied 10 points from four different individuals, including four from sophomore Bryson Wilt (Oakland, Md. / Southern Garrett). Three of those points came off an eventual game-winning three-pointer that put the Orange and Black up 68-65 with 2:33 left in the game.
Popeck showcased his offensive and defensive skills in helping to lead Waynesburg to its latest win. Not only did he pour in a game-high 23 points, but he also swiped away a contest-best five steals.
A balanced Jacket attack featured five double-digit scorers. Graduate student Nijon Kirkman (Cleveland, Ohio / John Jay) dropped in 12 points, snagged seven rebounds and made his presence known in the paint with a game-high four blocks, a total that bested Hiram's three-block effort as a team.
Sophomore Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) posted a double-double on 10 points and 10 rebounds. Wilt filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals, while junior point guard Ryan Felberg (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) contributed 10 points to the winning effort.
Waynesburg's defensive numbers were impressive on the day. The Yellow Jackets held notable advantages in steals (15-5) and total turnovers (18-9), while also limiting Hiram to a 33.3 percent shooting day (25-of-75) that included just seven made three pointers in 28 attempts (25%).
Waynesburg will try for a third-straight win on Tuesday, Nov. 23, when it travels to Otterbein. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
