STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (February 19) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team played Franciscan tight for the opening 30 minutes before a late Barons run powered the hosts to a 78-61 victory in Ohio on Wednesday night.

The Jackets and Barons split the season series for the 2024-25 season. Waynesburg falls to 7-17, 5-14 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC). Franciscan, who clinched a spot in the PAC Tournament on Saturday, advances to 15-9, 10-9 PAC.

Waynesburg led by as many as seven points (34-27) early in the second half before the Barons rallied back to take a 38-36 lead with 15 minutes remaining. Two three-pointers by Jalen Goins (Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown) and a dunk by Jaylen Davis (Cleveland Heights, Ohio / Cleveland Height) pulled the Jackets within one (49-48) with just over 10 minutes to play. Franciscan then embarked on a 16-2 run with Sawyer Butler draining three treys and a foul shot on a successful four-point play. When the dust settled, Franciscan led 65-50 with seven minutes to play.

The closest the Jackets got the rest of the way was an 11-point margin (67-56) with five minutes left.

The Barons made two threes in the game's first three minutes as the hosts established an early 10-2 lead. PJ Suggs (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) and Davis combined to score Waynesburg's next 11 points as the Jackets narrowed the margin to 14-13.

Back-to-back baskets by Rayshod Hooper (Baltimore, Md. / St. Frances) put the Jackets in front for the first time at 17-16. The lead was traded back and forth until the score was tied at 27 with two minutes left in the half. Waynesburg scored the final five points of the half with two Davis foul shots and a three by Grant Barnhart (St. Mary's, W.Va. / St. Mary's) to carry a 32-27 lead into halftime. 

Butler led all scorers with a career-high 35 points and Josh Zimmerman recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists for the Barons.

Suggs and Davis each had 14 points as 11 different players scored for the Jackets.

Waynesburg hosts Thiel in its season finale on Saturday.