STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – Freshman forward Nathan Plotner(Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) posted his first collegiate double double with 22 points and 11 rebounds to power the Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team to an 86-70 win over Franciscan University of Steubenville Wednesday evening in Presidents' Athletic Conference play. 
 
Plotner, who entered the night averaging just 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, turned in a sterling performance for the Presidents. Plotner converted 7-of-12 field goals and went 8-of-11 at the free throw line in the win. The freshman added three steals, two blocks and two assists in just 18 minutes. 
 
Three other Presidents reached double figures in scoring. Brandon Jakiela (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) finished with 16 points off the bench. Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga./North Cobb) recorded 12 points while Matt Seidl (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) added 11 points, three steals and two blocks.  
 
Plotner and Acosta helped the Presidents post a 58-40 advantage in points in the paint. W&J also was able to dictate tempo with its press. Franciscan committed 23 turnovers to just 13 by W&J. The Presidents outscored the Barons 27-16 in fastbreak points and 30-16 in points off turnovers. 
 
The two teams played through a largely back-and forth and competitive first half. The Presidents trailed 22-18 after a three-point field goal by the Barons at the 9:49 mark. However, the Red and Black ripped off nine-straight points and pull in front 27-22 on a Seidl layup with 6:57 to play in the first half. The W&J lead eventually swelled into double figures following back-to-back field goals by Nick Gearhart (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) which made it 39-29 late in the first half. W&J led 43-35 at the break. 
 
The Presidents were able to carry that momentum into the second half. W&J saw its lead grow to 17 points when a layup by Jakiela made it 60-43 with 14:15 to play. Franciscan was unable to cut the W&J lead back into single digits for the remainder of the game. Plotner accounted for eight-straight W&J points to extend the lead to 79-62 with 4:58 left. A layup by Jakiela gave W&J a 21-point lead, 86-65, with 2:14 remaining. 
 
The win moves the Presidents to 5-10 in the PAC and 6-14 overall. The loss drops the Barons to 4-12 in league play and 7-13 overall. 

The Presidents welcome Thiel College to Salvitti Family Gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 3. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m.