PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Chatham Women's Basketball (4-3, 2-2) fought back after a slow start to defeat the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets (4-4, 0-4) by the score of 71-54 on Wednesday night at the Athletic and Fitness Center.

Alyssa Laukus led the way with her first double-double of the season, scoring 19 points on 9-12 shooting and grabbing 12 rebounds. Ashlie Louden scored 18 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Hannah Chenault knocked down three three-pointers on her way to 17 points. Charjae Brock pitched in four assists, four steals and three boards.

After Laukus made a layup to start the game, but Waynesburg responded with a 7-2 run to take an early lead. A three pointer from Chenault tied the game at 7 before another Yellow Jacket run of 10-4 increased their lead. Waynesburg netted the first basket of the second quarter, but Chatham put together a 7-0 run, featuring buckets from Chenault and Kendall Haymore and a triple from Louden, to cut it to 20-19. The Cougars then regained the lead on another Louden three, then increased that lead to 27-23 with twos from Louden and Chenault. Chatham closed the half with a 31-28 points with Louden assisting Laukus on the last basket of the half.

In the second half, the Cougars began pulling away from the very start with an 18-2 run to open the third quarter. Chatham led by as many as 23 points in the fourth quarter and had no trouble closing out the Yellow Jackets.

The Cougars shot 39.2% (29-74) from the field and held the Yellow Jackets to 33.9% (19-56) from the field. The rebound totals were even at 42 apiece, but Chatham forced 24 turnovers and had 27 points off turnovers, which proved to be the difference.

Chatham Women's Basketball is back at home Saturday for the last time of 2024 as they take on the Grove City Wolverines.