News Release

NEW CONCORD, Ohio — Despite 21 points from forward Jeff Nero, the Yellow Jackets suffered a 93-77 defeat to Muskingum on Wednesday night in their final game of 2005. The Muskies countered Nero's effort with five players in double figures, including 30 from guard Brandon Todd. Waynesburg finishes the 2005 portion of its schedule with a 5-4 mark before beginning play in the new year with conference rival Washington & Jefferson.

Nero was joined in double figures by senior Ryan Bujnowski with 10 points and reserve guard Jeff Linden with 14 points.

After scoring the game's opening points, the Yellow Jackets trailed the rest of the first half, including by as much as 16, 22-9, with 12:52 before halftime. Waynesburg behind a strong 57 shooting percentage trimmed the lead to 44-37 at the break with 14 first-half points from Nero.

Nero finished the game with 21 points on 8-of-16 shooting and collected a team-high five rebounds.

In the opening four minutes of the second period, Nero and the Yellow Jacket trimmed the deficit to one point, 47-46, before the Muskies went on a 10-0 run. Waynesburg countered with a 17-4 run of its own, including a three-pointer by Nero with 10:51 to tie the game at 61-61. Twenty-four seconds later, sophomore Jered Gamble gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead, 63-61 since the opening bucket.

After the two-teams exchanged baskets and the lead, the Muskies held Waynesburg scoreless, 17-0, over a four-minute stretch to stake an 84-69 lead before cruising to victory over the final three minutes.

In addition to the 30 points from Todd, Zach Ross added 18 points for Muskingum (6-3), who made 16-of-26 three-pointers (61.5 percent) and held a +10 advantage in rebounds. The rebound advantage allowed the Muskies to convert on 17 second-chance points.

The Yellow Jackets return to the courts after the Holiday season on Wednesday, Jan. 4, when they travel to face conference rival Washington & Jefferson at 6 p.m. The Presidents won two of the three games against Waynesburg last season with their only loss coming during a 96-93 triple-overtime thriller in the conference opener at the Henry Memorial Center.

Newspaper Box Score
Waynesburg College vs Muskingum College
12/21/05 7:30 pm at Muskingum College
At Muskingum College
MUSKINGUM COLLEGE 93, WAYNESBURG COLLEGE 77
WAYNESBURG COLLEGE (5-4)
Jeff Nero 8-16 2-2 21; Jeff Linden 7-11 0-0 14; Ryan Bujnowski 5-7 0-0 10; Marc Lodovico 3-6 0-0 9; Beau Wilson 3-7 0-0 9; Jered Gamble 2-2 1-2 6; Shawn Coleman 2-3 0-0 4; Josh Parisi 1-3 2-2 4; Colby Grubich 0-0 0-0 0; Chris Moore 0-0 0-0 0; Dan Happe 0-2 0-0 0; Tim Drakeley 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-58 5-6 77.
MUSKINGUM COLLEGE (6-3, 2-2 OAC)
Brandon Todd 11-16 4-4 30; Zach Ross 6-14 0-0 18; Cole Pittis 6-9 4-4 16; Jeremy Ady 5-8 1-2 15; Trevor Scott 3-5 4-4 12; Mike Seibert 1-1 0-0 2; Andrew Chonko 0-1 0-0 0; Jason Dicken 0-0 0-0 0; Nick Shy 0-0 0-0 0; Bill
Armstrong 0-1 0-0 0; Jeremy Ridgley 0-0 0-0 0; Adam Haumschild 0-0 0-0 0; Andrew Vickers 0-0 0-0 0; Justin Eichinger 0-0 0-0 0; DJ Schrock 0-1 0-0 0; Zach Olson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 32-56 13-14 93.
Waynesburg College............   37   40  -   77
Muskingum College.............   44   49  -   93
3-point goals-Waynesburg College 10-22 (Beau Wilson 3-6; Marc Lodovico 3-5; Jeff Nero 3-7; Jered Gamble 1-1; Dan Happe 0-2; Jeff Linden 0-1), Muskingum College 16-26 (Zach Ross 6-11; Jeremy Ady 4-6; Brandon Todd 4-5; Trevor
Scott 2-3; DJ Schrock 0-1).
Fouled out--Waynesburg College-None, Muskingum College-None.
Rebounds-Waynesburg College 20 (Jeff Nero 5), Muskingum
College 30 (Cole Pittis 9).
Assists-Waynesburg College 15 (Jered Gamble 4), Muskingum College 17 (Brandon Todd 6).
Total fouls-Waynesburg College 13, Muskingum College 10.
A-650