WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Nov. 9) – Waynesburg University women's basketball coach Sam Jones isn't interested in moral victories. However, the differences between last year's loss to Muskingum and Thursday night's 63-51 setback against the Muskies are striking.
 
On Nov. 26, 2022, Waynesburg (0-1) suffered through a 96-45 defeat at Muskingum (1-0), which sported a roster that was very similar to the one that hit the floor at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse this year. That night, the Jackets were outrebounded 41-29 and committed 21 turnovers.
 
Flash ahead to this season, and the Jackets nearly matched the opposition on the boards (46-45) and committed just nine turnovers. Unfortunately, one challenge they weren't able to overcome was a lack of consistent shooting. The host team connected on 21-of-76 tries from the floor (27.6%) and five-of-25 attempts from three-point range (20%).
 
Another big reason for Muskingum's win was an eye-opening difference at the free throw line. The Muskies connected on 16-of-22 attempts from the stripe, while the Jackets knocked down all four of their attempts. Waynesburg didn't attempt a free throw in the second or third quarter.
 
Despite those hurdles, the Jacket defense, which held Muskingum to 37% from the floor, kept the game within reach for the vast majority of the night, despite the Orange and Black falling into a 15-8 hole at the end of the first quarter. Between the beginning of the second period and the 7:23 mark of the fourth, Waynesburg outscored the Muskies 43-41.
 
The visitors were able to put together a 7-0 run over the final 2:37 of the contest that allowed Muskingum to put the game out of reach.
 
Senior Marley Wolf (Ellwood City, Pa. / Riverside) posted a 12-point, five-rebound performance to pace the home team. Freshman Kara McFadden (Painesville, Ohio / Fairpoint Harding) chipped in 10 points in her collegiate debut. Senior Anika Dansby (Massilon, Ohio / Washington) only scored four points, but dished out a game-high seven assists and yanked down seven rebounds.
 
Speaking of rebounding, freshman Kayla Howard (McDonald, Pa. / West Allegheny) pulled down a squad-best eight on the night.
 
Coach Jones got a good look at his massively expanded roster, which includes 13 newcomers, as he played a total of 14 players on the evening, 10 of which recorded at least one field goal each.
 
The Jackets face another non-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opponent from Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 11, when Case Western Reserve comes to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.