WAYNESBURG, Pa. (November 26) – The Waynesburg University men's basketball team handed Bethany its first loss of the season as the Jackets earned an 87-80 victory over the Bison in the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse on Tuesday evening.

Waynesburg improves to 2-4 overall and 2-1 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC). Bethany is now 5-1, 0-1 PAC.

Bethany entered the contest with the No. 4 scoring offense in the nation at 101.4 points per game, scoring at least 90 points in each of their first five games. The Yellow Jackets outscored Bethany 49-39 in the second half to earn a well-contested conference win.

After leading by three at the half, Bethany's led by seven (63-56) with 12:28 left in regulation. The Jackets proceeded to embark on an 18-2 run, limiting Bethany to 1-of-13 shooting, with Antone Baker (Maple Heights, Ohio / Maple Heights) leading the way with 10 points in the spurt. Baker's layup with 6:23 to play put the Jackets ahead 74-66.

Bethany responded with a 9-2 string to narrow the margin to 76-74 with three minutes to play. Casey Keesee (Tipp City, Ohio / Bethel) scored a coast-to-coast layup with 2:11 left to put the Jackets up four. The Bison got within two (78-76) in the final 90 seconds and PJ Suggs (Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg) drained an elbow jumper with 50 seconds to play to keep the Jackets up four.

After both teams split a pair of foul shots, the Jacket defense got back-to-back stops with Baker blocking a shot and Jalen Goins (Morgantown, W.Va. / Morgantown) collecting the rebound with 20 seconds remaining. The Bison made a late three to cut the margin to 83-80 with 14 seconds left, but Waynesburg made four free throws on the ensuring possession due to a foul and a technical foul to put the game out of reach.

Neither team led by more than two possessions at any point in the first half. The Bison built a 15-9 advantage through the first seven minutes of play. Suggs responded with back-to-back baskets to keep the Jackets attached.

Waynesburg used an 8-0 run that featured a three-pointer by Korey Mitchum (McHenry, Md. / Southern Garrett (Md.)) and a three-point play by Suggs to go ahead 23-20 midway through the first half. Bethany tied the game with a trey and the two teams stayed within a single possession for the rest of the half. The lead changed hands four times and a late three-pointer gave the Bison a 41-38 edge at the half.

Despite first half foul trouble, Baker finished with 21 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. Suggs had 17 points and three assists.

Goins added 13 points. Mitchem had 12 points and four assists. Jaylen Davis (Cleveland Heights, Ohio / Cleveland Heights) made all five of his field goal attempts and finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Keesee and Rayshod Hooper (Baltimore, Md. / St. Frances) each had five points and six rebounds off the Jacket bench. Keesee added five assists.

The Jackets set season-highs in points, field goal percentage (.429) and free throws made (23) in the win. Waynesburg won the rebounding battle 52-48 and recorded seven blocks and a dozen steals in the contest.

Waynesburg hosts Chatham in a nonconference matchup on Saturday.