After a perfect 4-0 start to the non-conference schedule, Waynesburg’s women’s basketball team finds themselves winless in Presidents’ Athletic Conference play.

The group is hungry coming off three straight PAC losses and a four day Thanksgiving break as they prepare to face Chatham on Dec. 4. 

“We’ve learned that we cannot get comfortable when we’re up, no matter how much we’re up by,” junior Kara McFadden said. “We’ve learned the hard way that every possession matters, and we need to play with focus for all 40 minutes.”

Waynesburg has not had a successful recent history with their next opponent, as Chatham has beaten them nine times in a row, as well as going 18-2 in conference play last year. 

The Cougars’ defense, which has allowed the second  fewest points in the PAC this season, poses a challenge that Waynesburg has spent the week preparing to overcome.

“We don’t see the 2-3 zone that often, so it takes some adjustment,” head coach Sam Jones said. “But we’ve had time to focus on improving our offensive flow and preparing for what Chatham does well.”

The Yellow Jackets have also leaned heavily on their bench this season, which has delivered consistent contributions, including a season-high of 54 bench points against Bethany on Nov. 26. 

Senior Madisen Dayton has been a key part of that depth, enjoying a career year with over 10 points per game. 

“Madisen always brings great energy and hustle,” Jones said. “She’s a tenacious rebounder and adds toughness and grit to our team.”

Dayton credits her success to extra preparation and a desire to leave it all on the court in her final season.

“Going into my senior year, I really wanted to leave it all out there,” Dayton said. “I’ve been putting in extra work behind the scenes to catch up after transitioning from another sport, and it’s been paying off.”

That depth certainly makes things easier on a head coach, who can consistently rotate people in and out. 

“Depth has been one of our best additions this year, and it will continue to help us make the next step,” Jones said.

Waynesburg also features the PAC’s leading three-point shooter in McFadden, whose confidence and ability to find her rhythm have been essential to the team’s offensive success.

“Playing with confidence has helped me be successful from the three-point line,” McFadden said. “It has also been my teammates that have helped me shoot so well from beyond the arc by driving and kicking and setting me screens.”

The eight-day rest period between games has given the Yellow Jackets time to regroup and recover. After a stretch where Waynesburg played seven games in 18 days, the most in the PAC, the break has allowed players to reset physically and mentally, while working on specifics to counter Chatham’s strengths.

“Rest days are tricky,” Dayton said. “It’s nice to have a break from the routine, but you have to stay in shape and stay sharp because too much rest can make you take steps backward.”

Waynesburg’s non-conference schedule set the tone for the season, with standout performances like Kalista Friday’s career-high 32 points against Carlow and Dayton’s 18-point outing against Wooster. 

McFadden and Dayton led Waynesburg against Bethany, scoring 20 and 16 points, respectively. The team now looks to learn from their experiences in the first three PAC matchups.

“We’ve learned that we need to control the tempo and not let our opponents dictate the pace,” McFadden said. “Against Chatham, we need to execute our plays, hit threes at a high percentage and limit them to one shot per possession.”

With a renewed focus and depth contributions across the roster, Waynesburg is determined to reverse its fortunes in PAC play.

“When you put talent and heart on the court, you’ll get success,” Dayton said. “We’re ready to prove we can compete with anyone.”

Tipoff against the Chatham Cougars is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 4.