LATROBE, Pa. (Feb. 4) – Heading into Wednesday night, the President's Athletic Conference (PAC) South Division featured three teams with 9-1 or 9-2 records. Despite winning its last three conference matchups, the Waynesburg University women's basketball team was still looking up at a top-four spot in the division and a berth into the PAC championship tournament, making tonight's matchup at division-leading Saint Vincent a crucial one for the Yellow Jackets.
 
With its playoff hopes still alive, but needing a boost, Waynesburg turned to its experienced backcourt to lead the way against a Bearcats team that sported a 7-1 home record. A trio of the Jacket's veteran guards were up the challenge of a talented opponent and a hostile environment, as the Orange and Black exploded for 24 fourth quarter points that powered the visitors to a 77-68 victory.
 
The win, combined with a Chatham loss, moved Waynesburg (10-10, 6-5) into a tie with the Cougars for the fourth-and-final South Division tournament spot. It was also the Jackets' fourth-straight victory, which is the program's longest winning streak since the first four contests of last season.
 
Perhaps a sign of things to come, Waynesburg picked up a point before tipoff because of an administrative technical foul against Saint Vincent (14-6, 9-2) for a malfunctioning shot clock horn. Senior guard Kalista Friday (Woodsfield, Ohio / Monroe Central) did the honors and knocked down the free throw before the opening tip.
 
It was just the start to another big night for number 35.
 
Once play actually got underway, the Bearcats flew out of the gates and scored 16 of the game's first 20 points to go up 16-5. That lead grew to 18-6, before the Bearcats settled in for a 22-12 lead after 10 minutes of play.
 
Junior guard Kara McFadden (Painesville, Ohio / Fairport Harding) came off the bench and scored four points late in the first quarter to help spark the Waynesburg offense to life.
 
Friday and junior guard Mia Henkins (Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown) took turns splashing three-pointers in the second quarter, as Waynesburg tied it at 33-33 with a 7-0 run to close out the first half. Friday and Henkins both knocked down to pair of treys as they tallied eight points each in the quarter.
 
Waynesburg left the third quarter with a one-point advantage (53-52) after a plethora of lead changes. Saint Vincent was able to move ahead by four (51-47), but sophomore guard Gracelin Corley (Elkins, W.Va. / Elkins) converted an old fashioned three-point play, before senior guard Liv Ammons (Wadestown, W.Va. / Clay-Battelle) connected from downtown to put her team up 53-51 with 1:16 left in the period. Sophomore guard Macie Justice (Washington, Pa. / Trinity) added two three-pointers in the quarter as well.
 
Saint Vincent snagged the lead back (61-60) with 7:11 to play, but Waynesburg responded with an 8-0 run, seven of which came from Henkins, to move ahead 68-61 with 4:51 remaining in the contest.
 
Four-straight from the home team pulled the Bearcats to within a single basket of tying the contest at 68-65, but the Jackets wouldn't be denied the win. Senior forward Clara-Paige Miller (Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central) made one-of-two free throws to put her team up 69-65 and McFadden hit a floater just over two minutes later to put the game out of reach.
 
Henkins led the charge to victory with a game-high 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor. Three of those makes were from beyond the arc.
 
Friday kicked in 16 points on 50% shooting from the field (5-10) and from distance (3-6). She added five rebounds, two assists and two steals to 29 minutes of work.
 
McFadden provided much-needed help off the bench with 11 points, a squad-best four assists and four rebounds.
 
Speaking of rebounds, Miller led a bullish Jacket effort on the glass that saw the road team outperform Saint Vincent to the tune of a 42-35 advantage. The veteran front court player yanked down a game-high 11 rebounds, including four of the offensive variety, to go along with six points.
 
The Jackets also connected on 10-of-27 three point attempts, while Saint Vincent made just 5-of-21.
 
Waynesburg continues its push for the playoffs on Saturday when it hosts Hiram for senior day and alumni day. Tipoff with the Terriers is scheduled for 1 p.m.