WASHINGTON, Pa. – W&J tops Otterbein 68-63 in the Championship game of the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh South Women's Basketball Tournament.

The win advances W&J to a record of 2-1, while Otterbein drops their first of the season and also lands at 2-1.

The Presidents opened strong, leading 9-0 within the first three minutes of play. Otterbein got up on the board with a three-point shot at 6:18 in the first, but soon after the Presidents pushed their lead to 10 over the Cardinals when Taylor Cortazzo made a layup in the paint, followed shortly after by one of Danielle Parker's layups, moving the score t 13-3. Two more layups by Parker and a completed free throw by Mya Gordon wrapped up the first at 18-11.

Otterbein opened scoring in the second with a jumper, but W&J recaptured their 10 point lead following a layup by Beka Bellhy at 5:48 and a three-pointer by Taley Dunaway shortly after at 5:14, making the score 23-13. The Cardinals attempted to lessen the gap with a layup, but once again Parker was in the paint to put the Presidents up by 10 once again at 25-15. A three-point field goal with 3:33 left in the second quarter brought Otterbein back to life, as the Cardinals went on a run that brought them within four points, 28-24. It was Ashley Mikelonis of W&J that secured the final basket of the half though, with a three point shot assisted by Cortazzo with 00:26 left in the period, ending the half at 31-24.

Medovich opened the third quarter with a three-pointer, regaining the Presidents' 10 point lead and putting them up at 34-24. Over the next three minutes, the Cardinals would work to come within five points of W&J, 36-31, but the Presidents gained momentum when they made four layups to the Cardinals' one in the two minutes that followed widening the margin to 11 points with the 44-33 score. W&J held onto the lead as three -point shot with 00:21 remaining and a good free throw at 00:04 by Mikelonis, giving the third quarter a score of 52-42.

Washington & Jefferson continued to increase their lead to as big as 18 points, 67-49, at 05:06. Otterbein was unable to overcome the deficit, giving the game a final score of 68-63.

On offense, the Presidents shot 43.1 percent (28-65) from the field, while defensively they held a 40-32 advantage in rebounds.

Parker led the Presidents with double digits at 12 points, completing six of the 12 shots she took from the field, while also leading in steals (3) and rebounds (13), naming her to the All-Tournament Team.

Amirah Moore also registered 12 points, completing six of 11 shots, while also contributing five rebounds and seven assists.

Beka Bellhy was named MVP following her performance against Pitt-Greensburg in the first round, and her completion of five of 13 shots and finding the net on three of five free throws, giving her 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

The Presidents will travel to Meadville, Pa. to take on Allegheny next on Nov. 24 at 6:00 pm.

2015 Hyatt Place Pittsburgh South Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Senior guard Emily Nelson (UPG)
Sophomore wing Becca Ziska (Wittenberg)
Sophomore guard Abby Miduri (Otterbein)
Freshman forward Danielle Parker (W&J)
Senior forward Beka Bellhy (W&J) - MVP