(Lexington, Va.) – The Dickinson College men's basketball team continued to battle back all night, but in the end, Washington & Lee held on for a 74-72 win in the season opener.

The Red Devils erased a nine point deficit in the first half to tie the game, 30-30, at halftime. Sophomore Chris Barsanti (Hummelstown, Pa./Tilton School) and first-year Tucker Landy (Durham, Conn./Xavier) led the Devils back after trailing, 20-11 with 8:43 to play in the half.

The Generals stretched the lead back to nine before a pair of layups and an assist from first-year Brian Gerney (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) cut the margin to 46-43. W&L built the lead to eight on two more occasions, holding a 61-53 advantage at the 6:10 mark.

Senior Matt Dolan (Chalfont, Pa./St. Joe's Prep) led the charge as Dickinson chipped away at the lead once more, pulling within one, 73-72 on a Gerney layup with 50 seconds on the clock.

Larry Whitaker hit one of two free throws with 12 seconds to play in regulation. The Devils had one last possession but turned the ball over with three just seconds on the clock.

Dolan led the Devils with a double-double, scoring 15 points and controlling 10 rebounds. He went 9-for-10 from the free throw line, adding three steals, two blocks and a pair of assists.

Barsanti went 4-for-5 from the line, scoring 12 points. Junior Chris Heine (Spring Lake, N.J./St. Rose) scored 12 points as well, grabbing seven rebounds. Gerney finished with six points and six assists, controlling five rebounds on the night. Landy went 4-for-4 from the line, reaching double figures with 11 points.

Jeremy Adkins led all scorers with 20 points and six rebounds for W&L.

The Red Devils return home to host the Pizza-Hut Tip-off Tournament on Friday night. The Devils face Messiah College in the second game of the night.