WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Dec. 3) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team took a break from Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play to welcome Penn State Behrend to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets never trailed on the day, but had to hold off a feisty Lions team as the home team picked up arguably its best win of the season, a 62-57 triumph.
 
Graduate student Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) made the first shot of the game, a three-pointer. Behrend (3-5) answered with a three-pointer of its own to tie the score, before the host squad took early control of the game with a 13-3 run that was capped with a layup by junior Antone Baker (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights).
 
Waynesburg's first-half lead grew to as many as 14 points on multiple occasions. Behrend pulled to within six (26-20) with just under two minutes to play, but the Jackets ended the opening period by scoring the final five points before halftime. Baker got a steal-and-dunk to start the small surge, which was completed by an old-fashioned three-point play courtesy of junior Bryson Wilt (Oakland, Md. / Southern Garrett).
 
When the two teams broke for their respective locker rooms, Waynesburg was up 31-20.
 
The visitors took control out of the break by scoring 13 of the half's first 19 points. With 14:45 remaining in the contest, Waynesburg's lead had shrunk to 37-33. Powered by a defense that has been stepping up its play in recent games, the Jackets stifled the Lion offense, which didn't score a point in over six minutes. The drought was ended by a free throw following six Jacket points.
 
The Orange and Black looked poised for a rather comfortable victory after taking a 55-39 lead with 4:43 showing on the scoreboard. However, the Lions saved their best offensive stretch of the game as it came to its conclusion. Behrend connected on four three pointers, knocked down all four of its free throw tries and dropped in a layup to make the score 59-57 with 15 seconds left to play.
 
The Jackets increased their lead with a free throw by senior guard Ryan Felberg (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg). Following a Behrend timeout, Popeck sealed the victory with a steal and two successful free throws that brought up the final score of 62-57.
 
Popeck posted a double-double on the day with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with his game-clinching steal. Junior forward Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) racked up a team-high 15 points, while junior guard Jake Scheidt (Saxonburg, Pa. / Knoch) tallied 12.
 
Baker put up solid numbers off the bench (10 points, eight rebounds) over 17 minutes played. However, he stole the show with a pair of thunderous dunks, one of which came off an alley oop assist from Scheidt.
 
Waynesburg earned the win despite Behrend connecting on 12 three pointers.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 7, when they travel to Pitt Greensburg. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.