Waynesburg men’s basketball took care of Thiel Wednesday night and improved to 12-7 overall and 8-4 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with a 86-56 victory. 

Senior Matt Popeck was stellar for yet another game this season with 26 points and seven rebounds, shooting 3-of-6 from the three-point line. 

“He contributes so much more than just on the stat sheet,” head coach Tim Fusina said. “By cutting hard to get open shots and playing the right way.”

The team bought in defensively on Fusina’s philosophy of playing the right way. Waynesburg held Thiel 13 points below their season scoring average. 

The Tomcats missed more shots than they made, shooting 30% from the floor.

“I credit it to our good defense,” Fusina said. “That’s when we’re at our best and guarding their shooters in good positions, we regrouped from Franciscan and fixed our mistakes.”

Graduate student Nijon Kirkman led the team in rebounds with 10. He recorded another double-double putting in 12 points.

The Waynesburg men’s basketball team is fighting to get out of the turbulence. With a group of alternating wins and losses in the past four games. The Yellow Jackets are searching for answers to finish out the season strong. 

“It’s all about playing the right way, work for good shots, don’t settle, pace and transitions,” Fusina said. “It’s a simple game, you have to do those things every day. When you do it you’ll be successful and when you don’t you’ll struggle.”

Six games remain on the schedule for the Yellow Jackets.

Sitting in fourth place in the PAC, Waynesburg has another crack at all the teams above them. 

Their next matchup will be at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse against No. 1 Chatham. Tip-off on Feb. 5 is at 3 p.m.