Box Score WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Feb. 16) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hosted Bethany on Wednesday night for a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown. Despite playing without standout forward Nijon Kirkman (Cleveland, Ohio / John Hay), the Yellow Jackets unloaded a lot of frustration as they rolled to an 81-44 win.
 
Waynesburg's (13-11, 9-8) defensive prowess was on full display in the first half, as it stifled Bethany's (2-17, 2-12) offense to the point where it managed just 19 points over the first 20 minutes of play. The Jacket attack, meanwhile, got things going by scoring the first seven points of the contest. The Bison answered with an 8-2 run to trim their deficit down to one point at 9-8. However, that was at close as the visitors came to ever taking a lead on the night.
 
Multiple small runs allowed the Jackets to take a 34-18 lead into the halftime break. After a Bethany three pointer cut its deficit down to 13 points (34-21), Waynesburg responded with a 12-0 run that made the score 46-21 five minutes into the second period.
 
That sizeable advantage grew to 41 points (77-36) with 5:38 showing on the game clock, before the Jackets settled in for the lopsided victory.
 
Before the night was over, 10 different Jackets scored at least two points each in the victory. Senior guard Matt Popeck (Washington, Pa. / Washington) led the charge with a game-high 19 points. He connected on three-of-eight attempts from three-point range.
 
Sophomore forward Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) chipped in 13 points on five-of-10 shooting from the floor. Junior guard Ryan Felberg (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) added nine to the winning effort, while freshman guard John Tastinger (Otto, N.C. / Rabun Gap Nacoochee School) tallied a personal collegiate-best 11 points on four-of-seven shooting over 21 minutes off the bench.
 
Sophomore forward Antone Baker (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights) connected on four-of-six field goal attempts to put up eight points, while also grabbing a game-high seven rebounds over just 14 bench minutes.
 
While Waynesburg's offensive performance was impressive, it was the defense that truly stole the show. The Jackets' 44 points were the second-fewest allowed this season and the fourth time the Orange and Black has allowed 48 points in a contest. The home team forced Bethany into 22 turnovers, while it coughed up the ball just five times in the win.
 
Waynesburg wraps up its regular season on Saturday, Feb. 19, when it hosts Geneva for senior day. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.