Jackets rebound after TMC loss
As the Waynesburg women’s basketball team took the court at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse Wednesday night, it clearly appeared as if the team put Saturday’s performance in the rearview mirror.
A performance in Crestview Hills, Kentucky that was filled with turnovers and easy scoring chances for Thomas More, thanks mostly in part to the Saints’ suffocating, pressure defense. TMC’s defensive prowess ultimately led to the one of the most potent scoring teams in the country putting up a 109-75 victory against the Jackets, the most points Waynesburg has allowed since Dec. 1 against Allegheny College.
However, the Jackets (9-9, 6-5) were able to secure a comfortable 73-47 victory over conference foe Westminster (4-14, 3-8).
From the opening tip, both teams began trading baskets; however, in different fashions, as Waynesburg found success with three quick three-point baskets by senior Hayden Giuliani and juniors Heather Davis and Lauren Blair.
“We were struggling from the floor,” said head coach Sam Jones. “But those back-to-back threes and we feed so much energy when we hit those. It led to a better energy on the defensive end, which gave us better looks offensively.”
The remainder of the first half consisted of streaky performances from both teams, as Waynesburg went on a 9-0 run, immediately answered by an eight-point run by Westminster.
The Jackets were able to widen the gap near the end of the first half by connecting on seven-for-eight from the foul line in the last 2:11, along with a Haley Delaney 3-pointer to send the host to halftime with a 32-19 lead.
Despite the 13-point deficit coming into the second half, the Titans were able to rally to cut the Waynesburg lead to six at the 13:38 mark.
“It’s really hard against a team like Westminster,” said Jones. “They are very well coached. I don’t look at their record because they always play very disciplined, very scrappy and very hard. You know you are in for a tough fight.”
That steak was halted when freshman Addy Knetzer hit a turnaround jumper with a hand in her face, which contributed to her going 8-12 from the field equaling 19 points on the evening.
Nearly halfway through the second half, Waynesburg’s lead was trimmed to a narrow margin once again; however, two Titan giveaways led to four-straight Jackets points, despite sophomore Haley Delaney picking up her fourth foul of the evening at the 9:25 mark.
“We don’t have to make a change, and other teams don’t have a chance to take a break,” said Jones. “Some teams when their big player gets in foul trouble and they really lag. We aren’t really concerned about it, because we have lots of kids at every position and don’t have to change what we do.”
One of the biggest differences for Waynesburg was its success from the free-throw line – an area that has caused concern throughout the entirety of the season. The Jackets were able to shoot 21-26 from the charity stripe.
A no-look pass from senior Rebecca Kerr to Knetzer for a three-point play with 5:11 remaining sealed the deal for the Orange and Black.
Waynesburg was paced with balanced scoring throughout the night from Kerr and Davis, who scored 15 and nine, respectively.
One of the reasons for the Jackets’ success defense was pressure defense, especially in the first half when the Titans couldn’t make a field goal against the Waynesburg press. The Jackets were able to force 32 turnovers on the night, 19 in the first 20 minutes.
“I think it was huge because those 19 turnovers means we get 19 more chances with the ball,” said Jones. “The more you have the ball, the less likely they are to score.”
Waynesburg will travel to Grove City for another Presidents’ Athletic Conference match-up against the Wolverines. It is a rematch for the Jackets, after the Wolverines upset them 65-64 at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse back on Dec. 6. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.