The Waynesburg University Women’s basketball team took down the Saint Vincent College Bearcats 61-50 last night snapping the five-game losing streak against the Bearcats.  

The Jackets let up the second lowest points of the season to the Bearcats with defense being the key. 

“We have worked a lot on defense over the past few weeks and our efforts showed last night,” freshman Macie Justice said. “As a team, we knew our scouts, jumped to the ball, were in the help and communicated effectively.  I think this was a big key to our defensive success.”  

The Jackets and Bearcats both started the game slow shooting below 30-percent from the field, ending the first quarter with a score of only 13-11. However, the Jackets would keep the lead the entire game and created a cushion in the second quarter. 

The Jackets would begin the second going on a 17-3 run creating a 30-14 lead over the Bearcats at the half. Five different players contributed to that 17-point run, with sophomore Kalista Friday and senior Madi Dayton tallying four points apiece in the run. 

Waynesburg would continue with a strong defense in the second half outscoring the Bearcats 29-26, and the final score would be 60-51. 

Waynesburg now advances to 12-10 overall and 7-10 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference and sit at seventh in the conference. They are inching closer to the playoffs but need some help for it to happen.  

Bethany sits in sixth place in the conference which is the last seed to make the dance, and they are 9-8 in the conference.  

For the Jackets to make it they need Bethany to lose out, and the Jackets need to win out. The Jackets play number one seed Washington and Jefferson this Saturday. 

“As a team, we are excited about a playoff possibility,” Justice said. “This Saturday against W&J is a big game for us. W&J is a really strong opponent, but we are ready for the challenge and hope our efforts pay off.” 

The Jackets have not beaten the Presidents since 2017 and need to win this Saturday to keep their hopes alive.  

“Yes, it is a huge game for us, and it is also our rival, I feel we need to believe in ourselves and adjust our mindset so that we can beat them and just believe in ourselves,” Friday said. “They are a good team, but that’s why you play the game. We’re going to give it our best shot” 

Tip off Saturday is at 1 p.m. in Washington Pennsylvania.