WASHINGTON, Pa. - Washington & Jefferson used a game-ending 23-6 run, including a 13-1 run in the final six minutes, to come back to defeat the Westminster College men's basketball team, 64-56, Wednesday night. The Titans fall to 5-17 overall and 2-10 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), while W&J improves to 9-14 and 6-6 in the PAC.
Junior forward Rob Briggs (Saxonburg, Pa./Knoch) led the Titans with a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season and the sixth of his career. Sophomore guard Doug Smith (South Park, Pa./South Park) also poured in 15 points for the Titans on 5-10 shooting from 3-point range.
The Titans shot 40.0 percent (20-50) from the floor, including 50 percent (13-26) in the first half and 29.2 percent (7-24) in the second half.
Four Presidents scored in double figures led by Paul Matthews with 15 points to go with six rebounds. Ben Cecchini and Brian Felker each scored 13 points for W&J with Cecchini leading the Presidents with seven rebounds. Zach Bellhy also bucketed 12 points.
After Westminster held a seven-point, 32-25 lead at halftime, the Titans mounted their largest lead of the game with a nine-point, 50-41 advantage with 10:08 remaining. From there, W&J made its comeback and took its first lead of the second half at 56-55 with 3:55 left.
The Titans missed their final eight field goal attempts in the final six minutes.
Westminster hosts Thiel Saturday at 4 p.m.
About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College ranks first in the nation as "Best College for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," according to Forbes.com. Westminster is a top tier liberal arts college, a national leader in graduation rate performance, and a "Great School, Great Price," according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster ranked 38th among liberal arts colleges, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 373 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.
Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.
