The Presidents (4-13, 1-2 PAC) held the lead for the first nine minutes, but the Wolverines (10-7, 3-0 PAC) eventually went ahead by five points (20-15) after a lay-up by Chuck Cotherman at the 7:16 mark.
W&J freshman guard Tyler Trutza (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay) knocked down a three-pointer three minutes later to give W&J the lead back at 22-20, but a 10-4 GCC run to end the half gave the Wolverines a 30-26 halftime advantage. J.D. Collar hit a pair of triples in the final 50 seconds for GCC.
Grove City scored the first three baskets of the second half to assume a 10-point lead, but a 15-7 W&J spurt closed the Presidents to within 41-39 with 12:57 remaining. Sophomore guard Anthony Hairston (Roanoke, Va./Roanoke Catholic) capped the W&J rally with a dunk.
The Wolverines then made six consecutive shots, including a pair of three-pointers by Shawn Carr, over the next five minutes to push their lead to 58-47. Grove City held the Presidents to just two field goals in the final 7:03 to earn the victory.
Phil Bushre paced Grove City with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Collar added 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Mike Lukcic added 11 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Wolverines, who shot 55 percent (24-of-44).
Sophomore guard Brandon Studer (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley) led W&J with 12 points. Trutza hit three treys and finished with nine points, while sophomore guard Jon Koch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) and freshman reserve center Tony Lewis (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Orange) both scored eight points.
Washington & Jefferson hit on 36 percent (20-of-56) from the field and was out-rebounded by a 34-27 margin. W&J committed just nine turnovers.
The Presidents travel to New Wilmington, Pa., on Wednesday evening for an 8:00 pm tip-off with Westminster.