The Presidents (0-2) trailed 18-17 at the 11:19 mark of the first half, but a 12-2 Tartan run over the next five minutes stretched the lead to 30-19. CMU (1-1) led 40-29 at halftime after Nate Maurer drilled a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining.
Sophomore guard Jon Koch’s (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) jumper two minutes into the second half cut the CMU advantage to 42-35, but a 15-2 stretch gave the Tartans a 57-37 lead with 13 minutes left in regulation. W&J could not get closer than 15 points the rest of the way.
Maurer notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for CMU, while Eliot Goren added 11 points. CMU shot 48 percent (29-of-61) and held a 41-34 rebounding advantage.
Sophomores guard Brandon Studer (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley) and forward Matt Vorndran (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) were the only Presidents in double figures with 15 points each. Washington & Jefferson shot 47 percent (23-of-49), but committed 33 turnovers.
W&J travels to Kenyon on Tuesday for a 7:00 pm non-conference contest.