News Release

WAYNESBURG, Pa. — Washington & Jefferson extended its season-long win streak to four games as the Presidents hung on to defeat Waynesburg, 77-71, in PAC men’s basketball action on Saturday evening at Marisa Fieldhouse.

The Presidents (8-12, 6-1 PAC) swept the season series with Waynesburg for the first time since the 1993-94 season.

Washington & Jefferson struggled from the field in the first eight minutes as the Presidents missed their first 12 attempts. Sophomore center Tony Lewis’ (Mayfield Hts., Ohio/Orange) jumper at the 11:52 mark snapped the drought and narrowed Waynesburg’s lead to 8-3.

The Presidents were able to tie the game, 12-12, at the 8:18 mark after junior forward Kevin Bringman’s (Fairview Park, Ohio/St. Edward’s) three-pointer and junior forward Matt Vorndran’s (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) lay-up at the 3:42 mark gave W&J its first lead, 19-17.

Junior guard Brandon Studer (Johnstown, Pa./Conemaugh Valley) knocked down a triple with 1:12 left in the half which gave the Presidents a 26-25 advantage after 20 minutes.

Junior guard Jon Koch (New Kensington, Pa./Plum) hit two three-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to up the lead to 38-31, but Beau Wilson scored five consecutive points to bring the Yellow Jackets (11-7, 4-3 PAC) to within two points a minute later.

Freshman guard Scott Oklin (Pittsburgh, Pa./Allderdice) pushed the lead back to nine points with a three-pointer and Koch’s long-range trifecta at the 10:40 mark gave the Presidents a 53-41 edge.

Wilson’s three-point play with just under eight minutes remaining trimmed the gap to 55-50, but Studer’s trey at the 4:54 mark increased the lead back to nine points (63-54). Waynesburg was able to slice the lead to three points twice in the final minute, but the Presidents iced the game from the free throw line.

Koch led the W&J effort with 19 points and seven rebounds. Studer added 17 points, five assists and four boards, while Vorndran and Oklin both finished with 11 points. W&J shot 48 percent in the second half.

Wilson led all scorers with 25 points on 6-of-18 shooting. The Yellow Jackets were limited to 33 percent (22-of-66) shooting. Waynesburg also held a 44-43 advantage on the boards.

Washington & Jefferson is idle until next Saturday when the Presidents travel to Westminster for a 4:00 pm PAC contest.