The Yellow Jackets, now 6-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play, saw their five-game win streak end, despite 18 points from senior guard Beau Wilson. Six other Waynesburg players added six-plus points in the loss.
Thiel led 40-30 with 15:03 to go before the Yellow Jackets mounted a run to cut the lead to 40-38 with 12:26 to go following a three-pointer from senior forward Jeff Nero, to cap an 8-0 run.
The Tomcats stretched their lead back to nine points, 56-47, with 4:11 remaining. Down the stretch, Waynesburg cut the lead to two points with 32 seconds left, but would get no closer as Thiel sealed the win from the free-throw line.
The Yellow Jackets finished the game shooting a season-worst 37 percent (23-of-62), while Thiel shot 46 percent (25-of-55) from the floor. The Tomcats held a dominant 50-30 advantage on the boards and their bench outscored Waynesburg by a 17-7 margin.
Junior forward Josh Parisi led Waynesburg with a season-high nine rebounds (four offensive), while also adding six points and four blocks.
Thiel had taken a 33-28 lead at halftime behind 12 points and six rebounds from Herrmann in the first half. The Tomcats shot 42 percent (14-of-33) from the floor in the first half, while the Yellow Jackets made 38 percent (12-of-32) of their shots.
Waynesburg returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 10, when it continues conference play at Washington & Jefferson. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. at the Henry Memorial Center.
The Presidents stand 3-10 overall, having defeated Saint Vincent 76-68 in Washington, Pa., on Wednesday afternoon.