GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Thiel College men's basketball team lost a 76-74 overtime Presidents' Athletic Conference game to the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets on Wednesday.
 
Waynesburg took control of most of the first half, playing to a 31-22 lead with just over four minutes left in the half. Thiel answered with a 10-3 run to trim the Yellow Jacket lead down to 34-32 heading into the halftime break.
 
The Tomcats clawed their way back into the game during the second half, eventually putting the lead in their favor on a pair of Michael Ricks (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland School of Architecture and Design) free throws, to take a 56-55 lead with less than six minutes remaining in regulation. Ricks traded layups with the Yellow Jackets during both teams' next two possessions as they each fought for the lead, resulting in a Thiel 60-59 advantage with 4:42 left to play.
 
Waynesburg's Frank Bozicevic made a three-pointer with 1:28 that tied the game at 62. As Ahmad Tejumola (Waldorf, Md./Saint Charles) would try to end the game on put-back layup, Bozicevic countered with a layup of his own, tying the game at 64 and forcing overtime.
 
In the overtime period, Thiel jumped out to a 68-64 lead with 3:04 left in the game. Waynesburg fought back and eventually regained the lead for the final time when they held a 69-68 advantage with 38 ticks left on the clock. The Yellow Jacket defense held strong in the final seconds of the game sealing the road win.
 
Ricks and Nyric Gosley (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport) both tied a game-high 18 points. Ricks grabbed eight rebounds while Gosley handed out a game-best six assists.
 
Chima Omeihe (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community) chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
 
Waynesburg had four Yellow Jackets finished in double figures in the points category. Isaiah Alonzo led his team with 18 points.
 
The Tomcats will be back in action on Saturday when they host the Geneva Golden Tornadoes. Tipoff for the PAC game is set for 3 p.m.