News Release

WAYNESBURG, Pa. — Washington & Jefferson earned its first win at the Rudy Marisa Field House since the 1993-94 season as the Presidents held off a late Waynesburg rally to pick up a 71-69 victory over the Yellow Jackets in PAC men’s basketball action on Saturday evening.

Sophomore guard Brandon Studer (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley) hit a pair of free throws with eight seconds left to give W&J the victory. Waynesburg’s Jeff Nero had a long three-point attempt at the buzzer go off the back of the rim to end the game.

The Presidents (6-15, 3-3) assumed a 12-8 lead in the first 10 minutes behind a pair of three-pointers by sophomore guard Jon Koch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum).

Freshman center Tony Lewis (Mayfield Heights, Ohio) put home his own miss with 1:05 left in the half for a 26-19 lead and Koch hit a runner in the lane with 38 seconds remaining for a 28-22 halftime advantage. Koch ended the first 20 minutes with 12 points.

Studer hit back-to-back jumpers and Koch added a triple early in the second half to push the W&J lead to 11 points at 39-28.

After sophomore guard Anthony Hairston’s (Roanoke, Va./Roanoke Catholic) dunk at the 14:20 mark put the Presidents ahead by a 46-30 margin, but Waynesburg (8-13, 2-4) reeled off seven straight points to close to within 46-37 three minutes later.

Studer’s trey with 9:10 remaining upped the W&J lead to 55-44, but Jeff Nero canned back-to-back three-point baskets to slice the lead to 59-55 with 5:48 left on the clock.

Beau Wilson’s putback at the 2:10 mark made it a 64-61 game and his three-point play with 42 seconds left brought the Yellow Jackets to within one point (67-66).

Nero canned another triple with 27 seconds remaining to tie the game, but Studer was fouled with eight seconds remaining. His free throws sealed the win for the Presidents.

Studer poured in a game-high 23 points, while Koch dropped in 20. The Presidents shot 44 percent (26-of-59) and out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets, 32-27.

Nero led Waynesburg with 17 points off the bench. WC shot 51 percent (23-of-45), but committed 22 turnovers.

Washington & Jefferson travels to Bethany on Wednesday for an 8:00 pm contest.