Waynesburg Hands W&J 47-43 Home Defeat
WASHINGTON, Pa. - Despite shooting just 26.9 percent (18-67) from the field, Waynesburg downed Washington & Jefferson College 47-43 in Presidents’ Athletic Conference women’s basketball action from the Henry Memorial Center on Wednesday night.
Both teams struggled to find a shooting touch, as the Presidents (8-8, 3-6 PAC) were limited to just 23.9 percent (16-67). W&J did not connect on any its 14 three-point attempts, while the Yellow Jackets (13-3, 8-1 PAC) knocked down just 2-of-18 triples.
The contest was tied with as little as 1:19 remaining in regulation following a pair of free throws by senior forward Ashley Kirkpatrick (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic). Waynesburg’s Jessi Drayer answered by sinking a jumper with exactly 60 seconds to go, giving the Yellow Jackets a two-point edge.
The Presidents committed a turnover and missed a mid-range jump shot on their ensuing two possessions and were forced to foul with four seconds left. Brittany Spencer nailed both free throws, icing the game for Waynesburg.
Senior point guard Vanessa Rivera (Reading, Pa./Wilson) was the lone President in double figures with 15 points. She added five steals and two assists.
Kirkpatrick contributed nine points and six rebounds, while seniors Kayla Strimel (Morgantown, W. Va./University) and Courtney Walsh (Mill-Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) tied for the team lead with nine boards.
Drayer scored a game-high 17 points, while adding eight rebounds. Paige Pearce pulled down 17 rebounds and blocked seven shots. As a team, Waynesburg swatted 11 shots.
The Presidents return to action on Saturday when they travel to Chatham (2:00 pm). W&J is undefeated in 17 all-time meetings with the Cougars, including an 87-49 victory earlier this season in Washington.
