The Presidents (6-17, 3-5 PAC) raced out to a 16-5 lead in the first eight minutes, but the Wolverines (13-9, 6-2 PAC) rolled off the next 10 points to cut the lead to 16-15 at the 9:12 mark.
Sophomore guard Brandon Studer (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley) capped a 7-0 W&J spurt with a pair of free throws with 5:26 left in the half, but GCC eventually narrowed the gap to 30-26 at halftime.
The two teams traded the lead three times in the first 14 minutes of the second half, but Grove City staked claim to a 52-47 advantage after a jumper by senior forward Ryan Eller (Erie, Pa./Iroquois) at the 3:40 mark.
Freshman reserve center Tony Lewis (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Orange) brought the Presidents to within 54-51 with 1:49 remaining and Studer connected on a three-pointer 45 seconds later to tie the game, 54-54.
Bushre’s lay-in gave GCC the lead for good and Eller hit 1-of-2 from the free throw line with four seconds left for the final margin. Studer’s last ditch attempt from half court was short as the Wolverines escaped with the win.
Bushre and Eller both notched a team-high 14 points, while Bushre also ripped down a game-high seven rebounds. Grove City shot 46 percent (24-of-52), including 54 percent accuracy in the second half. GCC also held a 29-27 rebounding advantage.
Studer led all scorers with 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Lewis added 13 points and three boards in just 14 minutes, while freshman guard Tyler Trutza (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay) dished out six assists.
The Presidents hit on 42 percent (21-of-50) from the field, including 52 percent in the first half. W&J also committed just 10 turnovers.
Washington & Jefferson hosts Westminster on Wednesday evening at 8:00 pm.