GREENSBURG, Pa. -- The quartet of Kyran Mitchell(Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic), J.R. Mazza (Bridgeport, W.VA./University), Michael Bigley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle), and Nick Gearhart (Huntingdon, Pa./ Huntingdon) each scored in double figures and combined for 66 points as the Washington & Jefferson men's basketball team pulled away late for an 88-79 victory over host Pitt-Greensburg Monday night at Chambers Hall Gymnasium.

The 88 points scored in tonight's win at UPG was the most by W&J in a season opener since the Red and Black tallied 88 in a victory over Allegheny in the 2003-04 lid-lifter. 

Mitchell filled the stat sheet with 19 points, six assists and five rebounds in the victory. Mazza finished with 19 points, which included four made three pointers. Mazza added a career-best five steals. Bigley's debut was worth the wait, as the sophomore scored 18 points in his first collegiate game. Gearhart finished with 10 points and six rebounds off of the Presidents' bench. 

W&J held a narrow 43-42 lead after a back and forth first half. Pitt-Greensburg stormed out to a six-point lead just minutes into the second half. 

In a game that featured seven ties and 11 lead changes, a three-pointer by Mazza with 9:48 to play pushed W&J back in front at 65-64. The Mazza triple gave W&J the lead for good. The Presidents lead swelled into double digits (83-73) when Bigley converted a layup with 1:54 to play. Bigley recorded 16 of his 18 points in the second half to help the Presidents put away the Bobcats. 

W&J held decisive advantages in points off turnovers (30-11) and points in the paint (50-30). The Presidents converted 50.8 percent of their attempts from the field during the hot-shooting night. W&J was able to put up 88 points despite suffering from some struggles at the free throw line. The Presidents converted 19-of-34 attempts from the charity stripe. 

W&J (1-0) travels to Gambier, Ohio to take on Kenyon College in a non-conference game on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.