LATROBE Pa.- The Washington & Jefferson men's basketball team was outlasted by the hosting Saint Vincent Bearcats on Saturday evening, dropping the Presidents' Athletic Conference contest 93-90.
The loss drops the Presidents record to 12-5 in PAC play and 16-6 overall. The Bearcats lift to 16-5 overall and 12-4 in conference play.
Four Presidents scored in double figures. Nathan Plotner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) and Quinton Burlenski (Bridgeport, Ohio/Central Catholic) lead the way with 21 points each. Burlenski knocked down 4-of-6 triples in the outing to account for over half of his points scored. Cameron Rowell (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) added 17 points going 8-of-10 from the field. Matthew Carte (Ravenswood, W.Va./Ravenswood) registered 11 points to round out the Presidents who scored in double digits.
Plotner led the way with nine rebounds, just one shy of another double-double. Matt Seidl (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) and Nick Colucci (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) were efficient on the boards as well, pulling down seven rebounds each on the evening.
The game started close as both teams traded points for the first three minutes of play before the Bearcats were able to pull away with a six-point run. Saint Vincent kept the lead for the remainder of the half as W&J was able to catch up but not overcome the opponent's lead. The Bearcats registered their greatest led on a three pointer at the 7:08 mark.
Some action from the charity stripe helped the Presidents to stay within striking distance at the 2:34 minute mark of the first half. Colucci made a fastbreak layup that converted into an old fashioned three-point play before tacking on two more free throws the next play. Seidl was taken to the line next, sinking both, as W&J cut the Bearcats lead to six, 44-38. A dunk from Rowell, layup from Burlenski and jumper from Colucci ended the half as the Presidents battled back from a 14-point deficit to bring it back within two heading into the second half, 46-44.
W&J almost grasped their first lead of the game after seven minutes in the second half, but a jumper from Burlenski tied the game at 59. This seemed to kickstart the Bearcat offense as they slowly began to rebuild another lead. The Presidents kept the lead in single digits until there was 6:11 remaining in regulation play. Saint Vincent brought their lead back up to 14 with 1:47 left go in the final half.
Despite 11 straight points from the Red & Black, W&J was unable to surpass the built-up lead as a missed three pointer at the final two seconds of play turned into a trip to the free-throw line in favor of Saint Vincent.
W&J held narrow advantages in points in the paint (56-50), fast break points (23-18) and second chance points (15-12) while Saint Vincent capitalized on points off turnovers (26-14) and bench points (23-11).
The Presidents return to action next, welcoming Allegheny for a PAC showdown on Wednesday (Feb. 12). Start time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. inside Salvitti Family Gymnasium.