The teams traded the lead throughout the first 15 minutes until the Redhawks (8-10) took a 30-21 lead after a triple by Pringle at the 3:35 mark.
A three-pointer by Stacy Grady pushed the Redhawk lead to 39-26 with a minute left in the first half, but freshman center Tony Lewis (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Orange) and sophomore guard Jon Koch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) hit back-to-back jumpers in the final 40 seconds to narrow the gap to 39-30 at halftime.
Washington & Jefferson (5-15) closed to within 48-43 six minutes into the second half after consecutive treys by sophomore guards Brandon Studer (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley), Anthony Hairston (Roanoke, Va./Roanoke Catholic) and Koch.
LaRoche built its lead back to double digits with a 13-6 stretch, but sophomore forward Patrick Stewart (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) drained a triple with 3:20 left to bring the Presidents to within 64-60. Koch converted a fastbreak lay-up 20 seconds later to make it a 64-62 game, but a Pringle three-pointer on LC’s next possession upped the lead back to five points.
Grady sealed the win for LaRoche as he connected on all six of his free throw attempts in the final minute.
Koch led the Presidents with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Stewart finished with 12 points and six rebounds, while Hairston added 10 points and four boards. The Presidents shot 42 percent (24-of-57) and were out-rebounded by a 32-29 margin.
Pringle made 6-of-12 shots from the field, while Grady added 15 points and three steals. The Redhawks nailed 26-of-34 foul shots.
Washington & Jefferson plays at Waynesburg on Saturday at 7:30 pm.