WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Strong efforts on both sides of the court with help from some new faces led the Washington & Jefferson men's basketball team to a 75-68 victory over the visiting Westminster Titans in the Presidents' Athletic Conference play at the Salvitti Family Gymnasium Tuesday evening.

The win improves W&J to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the PAC. Westminster drops to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference with the loss.

W&J was clicking on all cylinders offensively in the first half. The Presidents converted 46.3 percent from the field (19-of-41 shot attempts) and limited the Titans to just nine first-half field goals over the first 20 minutes. 

The Presidents held advantages in points in the paint (42-36), bench points (43-14) and rebounding (52-48) in the game. Three freshmen led the Presidents in the scoring. Matt Seidl (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills) paced the Presidents with 13 points while Brandon Jakiela (McDonald, Pa. / South Fayette) tossed in 12 markers and Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga. / North Cobb) scored a season-best 12 points.

The Presidents got off to a hot start as they built a quick lead thanks to their aggressive approach on the defensive side of the ball utilizing their patented full-court press to create all sorts of disruptive situations for the Titans. The Presidents forced the Titans into 14 first-half turnovers. The Presidents were able to build an early double-digit lead (14-2) that essentially allowed them to play with a comfortable lead all night. 

Kyran Mitchell (Reading, Pa./Reading) posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half as W&J built its lead to 45-25 at the break. 

W&J remained in control throughout the second half, as they maintained the double-digit advantage until a basket by Austin O'Hara with 2:49 to play brought the Titans' deficit to 69-60. W&J pushed the lead back into double figures before a late three by Westminster closed the score at 75-68. 

The Presidents held advantages in bench points (43-14), fast break points (31-14), points in the paint (42-36) and rebounds (52-48). 

W&J hosts Chatham University for a conference game on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Salvitti Family Gymnasium. The game is a rematch of the 2022 PAC Tournament Championship game.