WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Dec. 1) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team had its 2010-11 home opener at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse ruined on Wednesday night by Hilbert.

After the two teams were tied 38-38 at halftime, the visiting Hawks (3-3) out-scored their hosts 42-34 over the final 20 minutes of competition to earn the 80-72 win. The loss dropped the Yellow Jackets to .500 on the season at 2-2.

Waynesburg kept things close in the first half and held a 36-34 lead with 1:20 remaining in the opening period. After the two teams went to their respective locker rooms, the Jackets opened up a 44-40 advantage after out-scoring their opponents 6-2 over the first 1:18 of the second half.

The Yellow Jackets led 48-47 with 14:42 remaining in the contest. Unfortunately, that was the last time the home team held the advantage on the evening. Waynesburg kept their deficit to just a single score for most of the remainder of the evening. However, a thunderous dunk from junior Hilbert forward Keon Rembert put the Hawks ahead 68-63 with 3:59 showing on the clock. The two-handed flush was part of a 7-0 Hilbert run that moved the visitors ahead 72-63 and seemed to take the wind out of the Jackets.

Though it came in a losing effort, Waynesburg got a solid performance from junior forward Lou Galante, who tied for the team lead with 17 points and added eight rebounds to his night. Senior guard Steven Iser added 17 points and three steals on the evening, while junior forward James Allenby led Waynesburg with 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards.

Rembert put together a double-double with game highs in points (21) and rebounds (13).

The Jacket men will try to get back on the winning track this Saturday, when they head to Bethany to face the Bison in their first Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) action of the season.