CLEVELAND, Ohio (Nov. 11) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team faced off with Pitt Bradford in the consolation game of the Bill Sudeck Holiday Tournament on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets and Panthers couldn't decide a winner over 40 minutes of regulation time, but by the time five minutes of overtime had concluded, it was Waynesburg that came away with an 81-80 triumph.
 
Waynesburg (2-1) got off on the right foot as a fast break field goal by senior Antone Baker (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights) and a three pointer by classmate Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) built a 5-0 edge. An 11-4 run by Pitt Bradford (0-2) allowed it to jump ahead 11-9 and was the first of five lead changes over the first 20 minutes of play.
 
Bradford led for the majority of the final nine minutes of period number one. When the Jackets and Panthers retreated to their respective locker rooms, the Blue and Gold held a 30-27 lead.
 
Waynesburg still trailed by two after 3:19 of play in the second half. However, a three pointer by junior Jordan McLoyd (Johnson City, Tenn. / Science Hill) gave his team a 39-38 edge.
 
After the score was tied at 41-41, WU appeared to take control of the contest thanks to a 7-0 run that included points from Baker and junior PJ Suggs (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg). Momentum swung back to Bradford's side, as the Panthers outscored the Yellow Jackets during a 13-6 span that knotted things up at 54-54 with 7:34 showing on the scoreboard.
 
That run kicked off another back-and-forth stretch between the opponents, and with just eight seconds left to play, Waynesburg was clinging to a 69-67 edge. One second later, it looked as though disaster may have struck, as Pitt Bradford drew a foul from three-point range. Luckily for the Orange and Black, only two of the three free throws were successful.
 
The game moved into overtime play with a 69-69 score.
 
Most of extra time was played with just a single basket difference in the score. However, graduate student Ryan Felberg (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) showcased his veteran nerves and mettle as he canned two key free throws that put his team up 81-77.
 
Bradford showed no sign of giving up, as it converted a three-point try with 51 seconds left in the first overtime period. Luckily for Waynesburg, the Panthers were unable to knock down a buzzer-beating three pointer, and the Jackets were finally able to celebrate their victory.
 
Waynesburg featured five double-digit scorers. Baker converted eight-of-16 field goal attempts for his second 19-point output in his team's first three games of the season. He was just as good on defense, where he blocked three shots and swiped an impressive six steals.
 
Suggs added 15 points on seven-of-11 shooting from the floor. McLoyd added 14 points to the winning effort, while Knotts contributed 12 points. Junior Jaylen Davis (Willoughby, Ohio / Cleveland Heights) posted his first double-double as a Yellow Jacket thanks to a 14-point, 12-rebound showing. Davis shot six-of-seven from the floor.
 
After shooting just 37.9% in the first half, Waynesburg caught fire in the second, as it shot 17-of-26 from the floor.
 
The Jackets are off until Saturday, Nov. 18, when they travel to Bethany to open Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.