By Tyler Zeman

(From 2-5-2022)

The Waynesburg women’s basketball team (5-15, 4-9 PAC) fell 63-52 Saturday inside the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse to Chatham (13-5, 7-4).  

Despite the loss, snapping a three-game winning streak, the team is still riding high after the close loss. 

 “We feel very connected as a team especially after winning three games in a row,” senior center Brooke Fuller said. “I think we are getting hot at the right time and I think us playing competitively against the top teams gives us a lot of confidence.” 

Fuller had 15 points in the loss along with nine rebounds in 32 minutes. 

Freshman Madisen Dayton provided 11 points off the bench. Dayton continued her fine run of form and has become a key player in the rotation.

 “We have a lot of experienced players on the team so it’s good to help from the bench,” Fuller said. 

After Dayton, Fuller did not get much help from the rest of the usual four other starters. 

The Lady J’s were outscored in the first quarter 20-9 but followed up the slow start by finishing the first half strong, outscoring the cougars in the second and third quarter. 

But, in the fourth quarter, the offense went cold and Waynesburg only could produce five points. The Jackets did hold the Cougars to only 11 points themselves, topping a good defensive performance from Waynesburg. 

However, the Lady Jackets could not contain Chathams’ Maddy Grennes who took over, putting up a double-double which included 23 points and 16 total rebounds. 

After the loss, Waynesburg falls to 4-15 overall and sits at 4-9 in the PAC. The team currently sit in eighth place as the regular season slowly comes to a close. 

The Lady Jackets now look to Wednesday for a big matchup against PAC foe and rival Washington and Jefferson.

The last time these two teams met was almost exactly a month ago in Waynesburg, where the presidents beat the Jackets 75-64. 

Since that win in Waynesburg, W&J has gone 8-1 leading up to this second matchup but has shown signs of being able to be beaten. 

After winning three in a row prior to the loss to Chatham, Waynesburg has proven they should not be taken lightly. 

“As a team, we just need to all have the same mindset going into the final stretch of games,” Fuller said. “When we are all mentally in sync we play to our best ability.” 

The Lady Jackets will be in action on Wednesday, Feb. 9th in Washington, PA to face the Presidents. Tip-off will be at 6 pm.