News Release

CRESSON, Pa. — Junior guard Beau Wilson recorded a career-high 35 points in the Yellow Jackets' 95-89 season-opening victory against Gallaudet as part of the Hampton Inn Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament hosted by Mt. Aloysius. Waynesburg held an 18-point advantage with five minutes left in the game before the Bison trimmed the lead to just four points with five seconds left in the game. However, Wilson sealed the victory for the Yellow Jackets with a pair of free throws.

Wilson, one of three co-captains this season, made 9-of-12 attempts from the field, including four three-pointers. The West Virginia native took advantage of his 15 trips to the free-throw line, making 13 attempts. Last season, he led the PAC and ranked nationally with an .872 free-throw percentage. Wilson also registered three steals and a game-high six assists.

Junior forward Jeff Nero posted 18 points on 9-of-14 attempts and a team-best seven rebounds and four steals.

Marc Lodovico, one of four juniors in the starting line-up, added 14 points in the victory.

In the first half against Gallaudet, the Yellow Jackets held a 45-37 lead behind an astounding .613 field-goal percent (19 of 31) from the field. The hot shooting for Waynesburg continued in the second half, as it finished with a .642 field-goal percentage for the game - the first .600-plus performance since the 2002-2003 season.

Behind Wilson's success from the charity stripe, Waynesburg converted 19 of 21 (.905 percent) free-throw attempts.

The 95 points scored in the season opener is the most for a Waynesburg team since the 1998-1999 season when it finished with a 13-7 record.

Bison Robert Haney, Jr., and Frank Jackson combined to score 58 points and collected 21 rebounds. Haney, Jr., posted a double-double in the loss with 35 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Waynesburg, who won its first season-opener since the 1999-2000 season, will now face Mt. Aloysius in the championship match of the two-day tip-off tournament. The Mounties posted a 101-89 victory over Franciscan-Steubenville in their opener on Friday. The Yellow Jackets have won each of the five meetings against the Mounties, including a 104-99 win last season when six Waynesburg players scored in double figures.