WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Nov. 30) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hosted Saint Vincent on Wednesday night for a Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup between the two long-time rivals. The Yellow Jacket defense had the host squad in the lead at halftime, but the Bearcats were able to break through late to pick up a 63-57 win.
 
The entirety of the first half was a tightly contested 20 minutes. After Saint Vincent (6-1, 3-1) opened up a 9-5 advantage, Waynesburg (1-5, 1-4) took the lead with an 8-3 run that was capped by a layup by sophomore guard John Tastinger II (Otto, N.C. / Rabun Gap Nacoochee).
 
Trailing 13-12, Saint Vincent battled back with an 8-0 surge of its own to go ahead 20-13 with 5:08 showing on the first half clock. The Jackets responded by playing their five best minutes of the night. During that span, the home team scored the final 10 points of the half. Junior guard Bryson Wilt (Oakland, Md. / Southern Garrett) and graduate student guard Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) logged four points each over that span, while junior forward Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) also contributed to the surge.
 
By the time the two teams left for their respective locker rooms, Waynesburg held a 23-20 advantage.
 
The two rivals split the first 16 points of the second half over 4:31 of play. However, an 8-0 surge by the visitors gave them a five-point edge they never relinquished. The Saint Vincent lead grew to a game-high 11 (51-40) with 3:43 left in the contest.
 
Waynesburg kept the pressure on with some late offensive production, but it was unable to complete the comeback.
 
Popeck powered the Jacket offense with a game-high 25 points. He went eight-for-16 from the floor, seven-of-eight from the foul line and knocked down a pair of three pointers. The veteran standout pulled down a squad-best eight rebounds. Wilt posted solid all-around numbers with eight points, five boards and three steals.
 
A big factor in the game's final outcome came at the free throw stripe. The Bearcats converted 22-of-36 tries, while the Jackets knocked down just 12 of just 17 attempts.
 
Waynesburg is home once again on Saturday, when it hosts Penn State Behrend for a non-PAC contest. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.