On Monday evening, the Yellow Jacket women’s basketball team dropped a non-conference road game to Bridgewater, a Division III opponent from Virginia, 70-65.
Heading into the game the Jackets had won their last four out of five, but now sit at 6-14 (4-7).
This loss came after a 93-65 win against Westminster that showed Waynesburg playing well from the beginning of the game, according to head coach Sam Jones.
“I was excited first half obviously—the first half was rolling with 46 points, but we gave up 44 on defense,” said Jones. “I was really excited with how we responded in the second half and made adjustments to our defense and held them to 20 points.”
In the Presidents’ Athletic Conference match-up last Saturday, sophomore Andrea Orlosky and freshman Brooke Fuller reached double-double status and shot a combined 17-30 from the field.
“My most exciting thing besides the win was the adjustments we made in the win,” said Jones.
Shifting to the game against Bridgewater on Monday, the mood following the game for Jones was not as upbeat after the team was unable to match the shooting percentage of Bridgewater.
“It was disappointing honestly, we held them to 32 percent shooting, but we shot 31 percent, but that didn’t help us very much,” said Jones.
Additionally, Jones acknowledges his team had some opportunities to win the game late or put themselves in position to win the game. The team fell short after a late turnover and a missed three-pointer in the game.
“We didn’t have the energy we needed at important parts of the game, and just little simple things. Down two [points] with 34 seconds left, [we] draw up a play and throw out of bounds instead of to the person who has to catch and score,” said Jones. “Just simple things like that and even with that we still, down three, got a wide-open, good look at the rim and just didn’t make the shot and some nights that just happens.”
Waynesburg made one more three-pointer and same the same amount of field goals as Bridgewater, with the biggest disparity between the two teams being free throws. The Jackets were 13-20, while Bridgewater was 19-22, a six-point difference in a five-point loss.
“We blew some opportunities to win the game take nothing away from that,” said Jones. “They made their foul shots and we didn’t, so that was frustrating because foul shots are something you’re supposed to be able to control.”
Jones does view the loss as a chance to get the team back on pace to finish the last five games.
“Hopefully it’s the kick in the butt we needed. Hopefully it’s just a good lesson and we get refocused,” said Jones.
The women played a conference game against Geneva yesterday evening, past publication date. Next up, the Jackets will play next on Feb. 6 against I-79 rival Washington & Jefferson, who they loss 88-66 to earlier in the season.