News Release

GREENVILLE, Pa. — Junior Jeff Nero tied a career high with 24 points, including four three-pointers to lead Waynesburg over Thiel, 84-68, on Wednesday. The New Castle, Pa., native also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, registered four assists and collected six steals in the game. With the win, the Yellow Jackets (12-8, 5-3 PAC) have now won seven of their last 10 games and snapped their two-game losing streak.

Thiel (2-18, 0-8), who is on a 14-game losing streak, limited the Yellow Jackets to a 25.8 field goal percentage (8 of 31) in the first half. However, Waynesburg found its shot its range in the second half, making 18 of 39 attempts (46.2 percent) from the floor, highlighted by 10 three-pointers.

After the two teams exchanged buckets in the early minutes of the second half, the Yellow Jackets seized control of the game with a 20-5 run over a 4:28 span. All the Waynesburg points during the run were scored by the junior trio of Jeff Linden, Marc Lodovico and Nero.

Nero scored nine of his game-high 24 points during the run, while Lodovico netted half of 14 markers in the stretch. Meanwhile, Linden bucketed four of his 12 points in the four-plus minute span.

After the run put WC up 52-35 with 13:44 left, the Tomcats struggled to cut into the deficit, trimming to as low as 13 points, 59-46, with 9:42 remaining.

The Yellow Jackets countered the Thiel effort by expanding their up to 19 points, 68-49, on a trey by Linden with 6:34 left in the half. Waynesburg led by as many as 20 points three times during the half, including 80-60 after a three-pointer by Nero.

Geno Bianco paced three Tomcats in double figures with 19 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

The Yellow Jackets host reigning conference champion Bethany College on Saturday, Feb. 4. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Marisa Fieldhouse. The Bison (17-4, 8-0 PAC) registered a 102-93 victory over Waynesburg in the first meeting between the two teams this season.

Newspaper Box Score
Waynesburg College vs Thiel College
2-1-06 7:30 p.m. at Greenville ,Pa. - Beeghly Gym
At Greenville ,Pa. - Beeghly Gym
WAYNESBURG COLLEGE 84, THIEL COLLEGE 68
WAYNESBURG COLLEGE (12-8, 5-3)
Jeff Nero 8-14 4-8 24; Marc Lodovico 5-13 1-2 14; Jeff Linden 4-9 3-4 12; Tim Drakeley 1-9 6-6 9; Jered Gamble 3-5 0-0 8; Josh Parisi 3-4 1-2 7; Beau Wilson 1-12 4-4 7; Dan Happe 1-1 0-0 3; Kenny Riddell 0-0 0-0 0; Colby Grubich 0-0 0-0 0; Jason Clark 0-0 0-0 0; George Wasik 0-0 0-0 0; Ryan Bujnowski 0-3 0-0 0; John Cunningham 0-0 0-0 0; Andy Erjavek 0-0 0-0 0.
Totals 26-70 19-26 84.
THIEL COLLEGE (2-18, 0-8)
Geno Bianco 7-15 0-1 19; Stephen Laird 5-8 2-2 15; Gary Gates 5-13 0-1 10; Andre Jones 4-11 1-2 9; Steffon Radcliff 3-7 0-0 6; Damien Williams 2-8 0-0 4; Jeffrey Zelonka 1-1 0-0 2; Tony White 1-4 0-0 2; James Beedle 0-2 1-2 1; Mike Quaglia 0-0 0-0 0; Ross Watson 0-0 0-0 0; Dan Quiring 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 28-69 4-8 68.
Waynesburg College............   29   55  -   84
Thiel College.................   27   41  -   68
3-point goals-Waynesburg College 13-40 (Jeff Nero 4-7; Marc Lodovico 3-9; Jered Gamble 2-3; Tim Drakeley 1-7; Dan Happe 1-1; Jeff Linden 1-3; Beau Wilson 1-10), Thiel College 8-22 (Geno Bianco 5-10; Stephen Laird 3-4; Andre Jones 0-1; Steffon Radcliff 0-1; Damien Williams 0-1; Tony White 0-1; James Beedle 0-2; Gary Gates 0-2).
Fouled out--Waynesburg College-None, Thiel College-None.
Rebounds-Waynesburg College 39 (Jeff Nero 9), Thiel College 51 (Geno Bianco 9).
Assists-Waynesburg College 13 (Jeff Nero 4), Thiel College 11 (Tony White 3; Gary Gates 3).
Total fouls-Waynesburg College 15, Thiel College 19.
A-265
Nero (WAY) ties season and career high with 24 points.