WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Westminster College men's basketball team lost, 82-74, at Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) foe Washington & Jefferson College in overtime Wednesday evening.
Westminster (12-9, 7-5 PAC), who led by as much as nine points in the first half (16-7), overcame an 11-point deficit in the second half (47-36) to take another nine-point lead with two minutes left in regulation (69-60). Washington & Jefferson (11-10, 6-6 PAC), however, made three-straight three-pointers by three different shooters, with the last one coming off the hand of AJ Blue with four seconds on the clock, to force overtime.
The Presidents scored the first points in extra minutes and never trailed for the rest of the contest, including outscoring the Titans 9-1 in the final two minutes. Westminster was only able to make one field goal in overtime, while W&J was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.
Titan junior Isaac Stamatiades (Elkridge, MD / Avalon) registered his fifth double-double of the season with game-highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Dylan O'Hara (Girard, OH / Girard) (14), freshman Austin O'Hara (Girard, OH / Girard) (11), and junior Daniel Ritter (North Lima, OH / South Range) (10) also scored in double-digits for Westminster. A. O'Hara also pocketed a game- and career-high five steals. Seniors Ricky Roth (Ellwood City, PA / Lincoln) and Blake Payne (Ashtabula, OH / Jefferson Area) both grabbed six rebounds. Roth added a team-high three assists, to go along with seven points.
For the game, W&J outshot the Titans, 53.4% (31-58) to 33.3% (25-75). Westminster won the rebound battle, 45-38. Altogether, there were five lead changes and six ties.
Westminster will next play at Saint Vincent College on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.