Waynesburg Snaps Five-Game Losing Skid To W&J
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Waynesburg University held Washington & Jefferson College to 35 percent shooting and canned 12 three-pointers, including six by Ben Altmeyer, during its 69-57 PAC men’s basketball victory on Wednesday evening at the Henry Memorial Center.
The Yellow Jackets (4-13, 1-7 PAC) snapped an 18-game, regular-season losing streak to conference teams. Waynesburg also snapped a five-game skid versus the Presidents and won on W&J’s home floor for the first time since 2005.
W&J senior guard Uchenna Okocha (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/University School) scored the first basket of the game, but that would be the Presidents’ only lead.
Waynesburg scored 24 of the next 31 points after Altmeyer made his first six shots of the game, including three triples, to grab a 24-9 lead at the 11:39 mark. The Yellow Jackets kept the double-digit lead for a majority of the first half and led 39-29 at the break.
Washington & Jefferson closed to within nine points three times in the first 13 minutes of the second half and freshman guard Mike Resnik’s (White Oak, Pa./McKeesport) basket with 4:08 remaining brought the Presidents to within 59-51 with 4:08 left.
Waynesburg once again had the answer; however, as Kenny Klase’s triple on the next possession sparked a 10-1 WU run. Altmeyer’s sixth trifecta pushed WU to its largest lead (69-52) in the final minute.
Altmeyer (9-of-14 shooting; 6-of-8 three-pointers) pumped in 25 points, while adding five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Lou Galante and Larry Alexander also scored in double figures for the Yellow Jackets, who shot 47 percent (24-of-51; 12-of-26 three pointers).
Freshman guard Andy Carter (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) led W&J with 19 points and six rebounds. Resnik was the only other player in double figures with 10. The Presidents held a 30-29 rebounding advantage.
W&J begins the second half of conference play on Wednesday when hosting league-leading Thiel at 8:00 pm.
