WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Dec. 6) - The Waynesburg University men's basketball team hosted their second Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup of the season against Saint Vincent on Saturday. The two teams scrapped over 40 highly competitive minutes, but when the final buzzer went over, it was the Bearcats logging an 84-80 triumph.
 
The first half of play saw the two conference rivals trade baskets and leads. When the two teams broke for their respective locker rooms the Bearcats (4-3, 1-0) held a slim 36-35 advantage, despite nine points from Waynesburg junior guard Cam Danser (Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown).
 
The second half began with junior Mikey Smith (Mastic, N.Y. / William Floyd) giving Waynesburg (3-6, 0-2) a 37-36 edge. Four quick points from the visitors put the Bearcats up three, but with 14 minutes left, the Jackets stormed ahead to grab a 49-48 lead with 13:53 left to play in the contest.
 
Unfortunately, the Bearcats did not let the lead last and gained control of the PAC tilt by scoring seven unanswered points that moved Saint Vincent ahead 55-49 midway through the half. If it was a lead that they never relinquished and grew to as many as 10 points on multiple occasions.
 
Senior guard Grant Barnhart (St. Mary's, W.Va. / St. Mary's) went on a 5-0 run of his own to cut back into the Bearcats' lead, but SVC immediately responded with five of its own. Junior guard Jackson Rhodes (Christchurch, New Zealand / St. Andrews College) showed off his skills by scoring nine points between six and four minutes left to help keep the Jackets within reach.
 
Waynesburg battled until the very end and scored 10 of the game's final 14 points. Unfortunately, the rally came up just short of victory.
 
Rhodes finished the game with 18 points, nine of which came on three made three pointers. Senior guard Jalen Goins (Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown) chipped in 17 on an efficient 7-of-11 showing from the floor and a 3-for-4 effort from downtown.
 
Junior Aiden Blake (Parkersburg, W.Va. / Parkersburg South) chipped in 12 points to go along with a game-high seven rebounds and a contest-best seven assists.
 
Danser and senior Grant Barnhart (St. Mary's, W.Va. / St. Mary's) added 11 points each off the bench. Danser also made his presence known defensively with a game-high three blocks.
 
Waynesburg will take next week off for finals week before returning to action on Wednesday, Dec. 17, with a home game against Wittenberg. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.