The Dutchmen (4-2) got off to a quick start as they rolled to a 12-4 lead in the first four minutes, but the Presidents tied the game at the 10:48 mark after a three-pointer by sophomore guard Tyler Trutza (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay) and then took a 24-23 lead after a free throw from sophomore center Tony Lewis (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Orange) .
Union went ahead by six points, 34-28, with 5:08 left in the first half, but junior guard Jon Koch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) canned a pair of foul shots with one second left in the half to trim the Presidents’ deficit to 39-38.
The Dutchmen built a 57-47 lead midway through the second half; however, W&J chipped away at the lead and eventually tied the game, 68-68, after a three-point play by Koch with 1:17 remaining.
Koch drained two free throws 20 seconds later for a 70-68 Washington & Jefferson advantage, but John Cagianello’s jumper tied the game. Koch then went 1-for-2 at the free throw line with 18 seconds left to play to give W&J a 71-70 edge, but Bonner’s lay-up proved to be the difference.
The Presidents (0-7) had a chance to win the game with two seconds left, but a two-point shot was missed and Union escaped with the win.
Cagianello poured in a game-high 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting to lead the Dutchmen, who advanced to the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament. Bonner added a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Union shot 44 percent (24-of-55) and held a 32-31 rebounding edge.
Koch paced the Presidents with 24 points (8-of-13 shooting), two rebounds, two assists and two steals. Freshman center Josip Lucic-Jozak (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) poured in 14 points and grabbed four rebounds, while junior forward Matt Vorndran (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) added 10 points and five assists. Lewis also totaled eight points and six rebounds off the bench.
The Presidents, who shot 51 percent (27-of-53), will look to pick up their first win of the 2005-2006 season on Saturday when they return home to host La Roche at 3:00 pm.