Washington and Jefferson Presidents
PrAC Waynesburg Yellow Jackets
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Cabrini vs. Waynesburg Nov 29
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Junior guard Jon Koch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) and freshman center Josip Lucic-Jozak’s (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) scored 33 of Washington & Jefferson’s 46 second-half points as the Presidents fought back to earn a 71-66 PAC men’s basketball victory over Waynesburg on Wednesday evening at the Henry Memorial Center. PrAC Waynesburg Yellow Jackets
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Cabrini vs. Waynesburg Nov 29
The Presidents (2-10, 1-0 PAC) used a 44-21 rebounding advantage to bounce back from an early 14-point deficit.
Waynesburg (5-5, 0-1 PAC) fired out to a 26-12 lead in the first 13 minutes behind six points from Jeff Nero and three triples.
W&J trimmed the lead to 26-19 after junior forward Kevin Bringman’s (Fairview Park, Ohio/St. Edward’s) three-pointer and Lucic-Jozak’s putback with four seconds left made it a 30-25 WC lead at halftime.
Shawn Coleman put Waynesburg back ahead by 10 points (50-40) with a lay-up at the 12:39 mark; however, a 13-2 Presidents’ spurt gave the hosts their first lead since 4-2. Koch and Lucic-Jozak both scored two baskets during the run.
Lucic-Jozak’s free throws at the 3:26 mark gave W&J a 60-58 lead, one which the Presidents would not relinquish. Koch’s three-pointer pushed the advantage to 63-59 and his four foul shots in the final 20 seconds sealed the win.
Koch scored 24 points on 5-of-15 shooting, while adding four rebounds and three assists. He made all 12 of his free throw attempts. Lucic-Jozak notched a double-double with 19 points and 10 boards, while sophomore center Tony Lewis (Mayfield Hts., Ohio/Orange) chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds.
The Presidents were limited to 35 percent (22-of-63) shooting, but hit 24-of-27 free throws.
Nero led the Yellow Jacket effort with 14 points and six caroms, while Beau Wilson and Marc Lodovico added 13 and 12, respectively. Waynesburg shot 54 percent (27-of-50), but could not overcome the rebounding differential.
Washington & Jefferson hosts the Hilton Garden Inn/Jacksons Classic this weekend at the Henry Memorial Center. No. 2 ranked Wooster and the College of the New Jersey meet in the first round on Friday at 6:00 pm and W&J and SUNY-Maritime follows 20 minutes afterwards.