The Waynesburg University women’s basketball team tipped off the 2017-18 season during day one of Messiah College’s Hampton Inn Tip-Off Classic on Friday, where the Yellow Jackets fell 76-51 to the host Falcons.

According to head coach Sam Jones, Messiah is a perennial contender in Division III and would be strong to start this season.

“We knew we had a tough test against this Messiah team,” said Jones. “When you look at a team that has been in the NCAA tournament 16 of the last 18 years and just coming off a 25-win season, you know you are in for a tough battle.”

The Yellow Jackets were led by junior point guard Monica Starre, who paced the team in points with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, she also pulled down six rebounds and had a team-high six steals. Junior guard Julie DeKlaven contributed with eight points on 3-of-4 field goals on the day and she also tied for the team high with three assists.

Something that will continue to be integral to the team will be the underclassmen filling in large roles, according to DeKlaven.

“The freshman have a huge role in this team…they set the ground work for the future, and we act as a motivator for this young team because we have so many underclassmen and that’s basically the core of our team,” she said.

Starre said that the Yellow Jackets’ approach will revolve around the small details as they try to implement a new offensive approach.

“Our main focus was to come out, play hard and work on the basics,” she said. “Running a new offense—we have to get used to getting different looks and opportunities, so that’s something that we need to get used to.”

A bright spot for Waynesburg coming off the bench was freshman Andrea Orlosky, who tallied eight points and nine rebounds in her 19 minutes of action.

Jones said that Orlosky’s play highlights the type of production and impact he would like to see his freshmen players make each game.

“We’re going to need these freshmen to step up in situations when someone needs a break or when someone just can’t get into a rhythm, so that’s good for the team as a whole,” said Jones.

Waynesburg trailed 19-9 at the end of the first quarter, and the Yellow Jackets were unable to bring the lead much closer entering halftime as the score blossomed to 35-18.

In the third quarter, the Falcons continued to pour it on against the Jackets as the score differential grew to 27 points. Trailing 58-31, the Jackets won the fourth quarter by outscoring Messiah 20-18 over the final frame, which was not enough for Waynesburg. The final score of the matchup was 76-51 as the Falcons prevailed over the Jackets.

Jones isn’t too pessimistic after losing the first game of the season.

“After the game the team obviously felt down on themselves after this loss, but we will bounce back after this,” said Jones. “We will hit the ground with our feet running, will continue to move forward and we will continue to improve.”

The Yellow Jackets are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 19, when they face SUNY Geneseo at the Hampton Inn Tip-Off Classic. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.