WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Dec. 6) – The Waynesburg University women's basketball team hosted Saint Vincent on Saturday evening for a well-played battle in the Presidents' Athletics' Conference ultra-competitive South Division. The two rivals traded baskets and leads over 40 well-played minutes, but when the dust settled, it was the Bearcats who walked away with the 75-73 victory.
 
Not surprisingly, all four quarters were tightly contested periods. Waynesburg (3-5, 1-1) led 14-13 after 10 minutes of play and extended its advantage to 39-37 at halftime by outscoring Saint Vincent (6-3, 2-0) 25-24 in the second.
 
The Bearcats pulled to within a single point after the third by edging the home team 16-15, setting up a sprint to the finish in the fourth.
 
A field goal by sophomore Macie Justice (Washington, Pa. / Trinity) put Waynesburg up 56-53. After SVC scored on the ensuing possession, the Jackets responded with a layup by junior Kara McFadden (Painesville, Ohio / Fairport Harding).
 
The Bearcats appeared to take control with a 7-0 run that nudged them ahead 62-58 with 5:49 left to play. However, McFadden continued her hot play down the stretch with back-to-back three pointers that put the Orange and Black up 64-62.
 
With less than two minutes left to play, the Jackets were clinging to a 71-70 advantage. Unfortunately, a pair of free throws with 57 seconds showing on the clock gave the visitors a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
 
The Jackets had one last chance to steal the victory after the Bearcats converted on just one of two foul shots with six second left to play. McFadden let fly with one last trey, but it didn't find the bottom of the net.
 
For a second-straight game, balance was the key to a solid Waynesburg offensive performance. Five players recorded between eight and 16 points on the night, including three tying for the team lead.
 
Junior Julz Mohrbacher (Freedom, Pa. / Freedom) tallied 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor. She nearly logged a double-double after yanking down a game-high nine rebounds.
 
McFadden matched Mohrbacher with 16 points, as did Justice, who logged 30 minutes off the bench. Justice also tied McFadden for the game lead with four made three pointers.
 
Senior Kalista Friday (Woodsfield, Ohio / Monroe Central) tallied 11 points and swiped a contest-best three steals. Junior guard Mia Henkins (Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown) helped out with eight points and a game-high four assists.
 
The Jackets step away from PAC play on Monday, Dec. 15, when they welcome Muskingum to the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.