WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Despite shooting over 50 percent from the field, the Washington & Jefferson men's basketball team suffered a 78-63 setback at the hands of Denison in nonconference action at the Henry Memorial Center.
With the loss, the Presidents drop to 0-2 on the season, while the Big Red improves to 1-0 after their season-opening victory.
W&J led 16-15 with 10:23 to play in the first half after a layup by
Wengly Saintlouis gave the home team its last lead of the evening. A triple from Denison was answered by a
Brian Graytok fastbreak layup to make it 19-18 Big Red, but the visitors scored 16 of the final 23 points of the half to hold a 10-point lead at intermission
, 35-25.
An 8-2 run to begin the second period cut the margin to four points, 37-33, 2:21 into the half as W&J got layups from
Brian Lindquist and
Gianni Buarne, a free throw from
Christian Rohaus and a three-pointer from
Joe Satira to cap the run. Denison, however, scored the next seven points over a 1:18 span and stretched the lead back to 11, 44-33.
Twice with under nine minutes to play the Presidents got the game within two points, the first time on a layup by
Kodie Hanley at 8:48 (52-50) and then again at 8:13 (54-52) after a jumper from the foul line by Graytok. The Big Red made nine free throws down the stretch to help give the final margin of 78-63.
For the game, W&J shot better from the field, 51.1 percent to 44.1 percent, including a staggering 61.9 percent (13-of-21) in the second half thanks to 5-of-7 (71.4 percent) from three-point range. The Big Red forced 17 W&J turnovers, leading to 28 points, and also held a 38-29 advantage on the boards.Graytok tied for the game high with 21 points, including 14 in the first half, on 7-of-13 from the floor. He also passed out seven assists to match the game best and pulled in six rebounds. Saintlouis set a new benchmark in his second career game with 15 points, while also recording four assists, four rebounds and two steals. Lindquist was the third President in double digits at 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Hanley tallied a game-high three blocks to go with five boards.
W&J hosts Penn State DuBois on Saturday, Nov. 21 for a 5 p.m. nonconference meeting.
