The Gators (1-0) jumped out to a 35-25 halftime lead and extended the advantage to 14 points early in the second half.
Trailing 63-53 with 5:26 remaining, W&J (0-1) used a 10-0 spurt to tie the contest with 3:30 left in regulation. Sophomore forward Patrick Stewart (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) ignited the run with a four-point play.
The two teams traded baskets with just over a minute remaining and the Gators last two shot attempts fell short forcing overtime.
Allegheny raced out to a 73-67 lead three minutes into the first extra session, but the Presidents rallied again and tied the game on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Jon Koch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) with nine seconds left. Allegheny once again had a pair of chances to win, but the shots fell off the rim.
Matt Majzlik took control for the Gators in the second overtime as he scored seven of the 13 points to seal the victory.
Majzlik finished with a game-high 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Casey McCloskey added 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Justin Schmitt netted 11 points.
Koch led the W&J effort with 22 points and six boards. Stewart added 12 points and six rebounds. The Presidents shot 43 percent (30-of-70) from the floor, including 68 percent (17-of-25) in the second half. Allegheny held a 48-36 advantage on the boards.
Day two of the West Penn Tip-Off Classic will be played tomorrow evening at Allegheny. The Presidents will meet CMU, who dropped an 81-73 decision to Grove City, at 6:00 pm.