WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Feb. 14) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hosted Thiel on Monday for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) battle. The Yellow Jacket defense was up to the task of shutting down the Tomcat offense, but the host squad had its own offensive struggles, as Thiel pulled out a 55-50 win in overtime.
 
Thiel (6-15, 5-10) opened the game on a 7-2 run, but a layup by Wayensburg (12-11, 8-8) graduate student forward Nijon Kirkman (Cleveland, Ohio / John Hay) followed by a three pointer from senior guard Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) tied the score at 7-7. Popeck followed with a two-point field goal to give the host team its first lead of the game at 9-7.
 
That was the last time in the opening 20 minutes that the Jackets pulled ahead of the opposition. Thiel, meanwhile built leads as large as seven points before halftime. The Jacket bench was able to close one of those seven-point deficits to three after back-to-back layups by sophomore reserves Jake Scheidt (Saxonburg, Pa. / Knoch) and Antone Baker (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights). Thanks to those baskets, Waynesburg trailed 26-23 at the break.
 
The Jackets kept things rolling to open the second half with a layup and three pointer by Popeck that made the score 28-26 in favor of the host team. The rest of the half featured a slew of ties and lead changes as it played to its conclusion. With 1:10 showing on the game clock, Popeck converted two crucial foul shots to put his team ahead 44-43.
 
Waynesburg clung to the slimmest of advantages for the next 1:04 before what could have been a disastrous foul was called against the Jackets. Luckily for the Orange and Black, only one of two of the free throws were converted and the two opponents prepared for overtime.
 
Unfortunately, the Jackets' luck ran out with the conclusion of regulation, as Thiel led for the entirety of the extra five minutes. The score was tied 46-46 after 1:41 of play. At that point, the Tomcats started a game-deciding 5-0 run that the Jackets were unable to recover from as the contest wound down to its conclusion.
 
Waynesburg pulled to within a point at 51-50 with 23 seconds remaining in extra time. Thiel responded by converting all four of its foul shots, while the Jackets were unable to connect on a potential game-winning field goal.
 
While most of the Jacket offense was held in check by Thiel, Popeck piled up a game-high 22 points on eight-of-15 shooting. He also went four-of-eight from three-point range and snagged five rebounds.
 
The Jackets played well enough to win, despite being outrebounded by a sizeable 52-33 margin. There was also a noticeable difference at the free throw line. Waynesburg knocked down just six-of-nine attempts, while Thiel went 12-for-15 at the stripe.
 
Both team's defenses took center stage for the entirety of the contest, as neither squad was able to reach 30 points in either half or the overtime period.
 
After losing its last two games by a combined eight points, Waynesburg will try to shake off its bad luck on Wednesday, when it hosts Bethany. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.