WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Dec. 2) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hosted Saint Vincent on Saturday for what turned into a thrilling Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown. The two  conference rivals battled until the final seconds of the contest, but a crucial turnover late in the game allowed the Bearcats to knock down a pair of key free throws to slip out of town with a 74-71 win.
 
Both teams struggled to find their footing in the opening 20 minutes, as Saint Vincent (6-0, 4-0) led 27-20 with 4:10 left to play before halftime. Waynesburg (4-3, 2-2) was finally able to get into a rhythm over the final stretch of the first period and outscored the Bearcats 9-1 before the break. A three pointer by junior Jordan McLoyd (Johnson City, Tenn. / Science Hill) with 11 seconds showing on the clock made the score 29-28, which was also the tally as the two teams broke for their respective locker rooms.
 
Both offenses took over in the second half as each eclipsed the 40-point mark over the final 20 minutes of action. Senior Antone Baker (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights) dropped in the first field goal of the period and put Waynesburg up 30-29. The Bearcats answered with three free throws to regain the advantage and set the tone for a back-and-forth end to the afternoon that saw 10 lead changes.
 
An old-fashioned three-point play by senior Jansen Knotts (Ridgeley, W.Va. / Frankfort) with 52 seconds left in the game put the home team ahead 71-68. Saint Vincent fired back with a pair of foul shots and a steal-and-score to edge ahead 72-71 14 seconds later.
 
Unfortunately, a Jacket turnover on their ensuing possession gave the Bearcats the ball with 10 seconds left to play. Waynesburg was forced to foul and the visitors knocked down two clutch free throws. The home team had one last chance to force overtime, but a last-second three-point attempt missed the mark and the Green and Gold were able to celebrate a hard-fought win.
 
Baker led Waynesburg with 16 points on seven-of-13 shooting. He added a squad-best eight rebounds, a game-high four blocks and a contest-best four assists. McLoyd, Knotts and junior PJ Suggs (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) posted 11 points each as part of a balanced Jacket attack.
 
The home team dominated the glass to the tune of a 33-19 advantage, but were hurt by 19 turnovers. Saint Vincent gave the ball up just seven times.
 
The Jackets are back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 6, when they face another of the PAC's top teams in Geneva. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.