PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Nov. 16) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team opened Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play at Chatham on Wednesday evening. Though they fell 76-71 to the host Cougars, a furious comeback late in the contest gave the Yellow Jackets' fanbase something to get excited about.
 
Aside from a brief 7-6 lead brought about by a three pointer from senior Ryan Felberg (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) three minutes into the first half, Chatham (1-2, 1-0) led the entire night. Fueled by their prolific three-point shooting, the Cougars led by as many as 11 points over the first 20 minutes. Waynesburg (0-2, 0-1) trailed by eight in the final minute of the first half, but a field goal from junior Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) brought about a 37-31 halftime score.
 
Chatham exploded out of the gates in the second half with a 10-1 run and held double-digit leads for most of the period. However, the Jackets refused to give up the contest and made their move with 3:43 showing on the game clock.
 
Trailing 68-53, Knotts started his team's best offensive run of the young season with a two-pointer. Graduate student Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) followed with a three-pointer that made the score 68-58.
 
A short time late, a steal by junior Bryson Wilt (Oakland, Md. / Southern Garrett) set up junior Jake Scheidt (Saxonburg, Pa. / Knoch) for a bucket that cut the deficit back to eight at 68-60. A Popeck steal on the ensuing possession resulted in a Cougar foul followed by two successful free throw tries from the veteran standout.
 
Waynesburg's defense came through yet again with another steal that led to Wilt knocking down a trey that brought the Orange and Black to within a single basket of tying the score (68-65). Chatham slowed the visitors down by converting a pair of free throws, but Knotts answered with another field goal that made the score 70-67 with 1:15 left to play.
 
Unfortunately, a timely three from Chatham doubled its advantage to 73-67. Popeck's final two points of the contest made the score 73-69 with 34 seconds showing on the clock, but the host squad converted three-of-four foul shots attempted over the final 17 seconds to close out the win.
 
Popeck logged his first double-double of the season with 19 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. He added two steals to 38 minutes on the floor.
 
Knotts posted a team-high 21 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Wilt just missed out on a double-double thanks to a nine-point, eight-rebound, four-steal, three-assist showing.
 
Waynesburg is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 19, when it travels to Bethany for a PAC showdown with the Bison. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.