WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team used strong offensive play and suffocating defense to record a 106-82 win over visiting Westminster in Presidents' Athletic Conference play Wednesday evening at Salvitti Family Gymnasium.

The game served as the conference opener for both squads. W&J, who was making its 2023-24 debut at Salvitti Gym, improves to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play while the Titans drop to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference. 

Five Presidents finished in double figures in the scoring column. Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga. / North Cobb) recorded 22 points and added 15 rebounds. Both totals are career highs for Acosta, who recorded his second-straight double-double performance. Acosta was nine-of-12 on his field goal attempts and converted all four attempts from the line. 

Nick Gearhart (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon) turned in a strong first half effort and finished with 19 points. Gearhart was also the leader with six steals and added three assists. 

Matt Seidl (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills) added 17 markers on eight-of-15 shooting from the field. Seidl added six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and committed no turnovers.

Matthew Carte (Ravenswood, W.Va. / Ravenswood) and Nathan Plotner (Parkersburg, W.Va. / Parkersburg South) had 12 points apiece as the Red & Black rolled to victory.

W&J shot 50 percent (20 of 40) from the field in the first half to build a 49-37 lead over the Titans. The Presidents pulled away midway through the second half. Already holding onto a double-digit lead, a dunk by Acosta coupled with a layup by Josh Chambers (Hanover, Md. / Indian Creek) stretched the lead to 72-55 at the 13:33 mark. A few minutes later, a three-point field goal by J.R. Mazza (Bridgeport, W.Va./University) made it 77-58 with 11:59 to play. 

A three-point play by Gearhart and a layup by Seidl made the score 86-64 with 9:20 to play. The lead reached its largest margin when Nick Colucci(Havertown, Pa. / Haverford) converted a layup that made it 99-73. The Presidents closed the scoring with a layup by Nick Sukernek (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Upper St. Clair) and a three-pointer by Jordon Nelson (Charltotte, N.C./Hickory Grove Christian). 

W&J's full-court pressure defense certainly had an impact on the game's result. W&J forced Westminster to commit 27 turnovers. The Titans converted just one of 11 three-point attempts. W&J's fast paced play created more up and down opportunities with the team recording and capitalizing on 31 fast break points.

J.R. Mazza (Bridgeport, W.Va. / University) recorded a team-high five assists in the win. 

The Presidents travel to Chatham University (1-2, 0-1 PAC) for a Presidents' Athletic Conference game on Saturday, Nov. 18. Start time is scheduled for 2 p.m.