Hot off a four-game winning streak, the Waynesburg University men’s basketball took two steps back last week with losses to Bethany and Grove City. The Jackets look to end that losing streak  tonight at 7:30 when they take on the Chatham Cougars for the second time this season.

The first game against Chatham [11-7, 6-3] took place Dec. 7. Despite outscoring Chatham in the second half, Waynesburg [4-14, 4-5] 78-56. Waynesburg head coach Tim Fusina said the key to a better result will be a complete effort on both ends.

“My expectations are that we work for great shots offensively, and that we prevent them from getting great shots,” Fusina said. “They’re a team that plays very fast. They want to drive it, and they want to shoot the three.”

In their last matchup, the Cougars made 12 three-pointers against the Jackets. Chatham is also third in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in three-point percentage at just above 35 percent. The Cougars have also made the most three-pointers in the PAC. Fusina spoke about what it’s going to take to slow them down from behind the arc.

“We need to close out to their chest,” Fusina said. “We need to get hands up on every catch to take away their vision of the rim. We need to sprint back and identify shooters in transition and close out to them.”

One of the big performers for the Cougars last time was senior guard, Will Sandherr. Sandheer had 20 points in the last meeting. For Fusina, the way for the Jackets to stop him is to not let him touch the paint or get an open look.

In the first meeting this year Waynesburg also struggled offensively. Isaiah Alonzo was the only double digit scorer, despite not playing in the first half. For Fusina, getting the ball in the paint will be key to having an impact when on the ball.

“We want to get the ball inside,” Fusina said. “Nothing changes with how we play offensively. We want great shots across, not necessarily for a particular individual. We want to get great shots for our team.”

This Waynesburg team is slightly different than the last time it faced Chatham. It came into December’s matchup winless, and this time, it’s just 10 days removed from a four-game winning streak.

“I think we’re different,” Fusina said. “We defend better. We play harder. We’re more focused, and we understand what the expectation is.”

Overall,  Fusina was straight forward when speaking about what he’s looking forward to.

“Competing and winning,” Fusina said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”