WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson began with an early lead and was able to retain it throughout the game to post a 90-72 decision over Chatham.
 
With the win, the Presidents move to 6-1 on the season and extend their winning streak to six games.
 
Beka Bellhy opened scoring with two points in the paint at 9:03. Danielle Parker continued to build the lead with a layup and free throw, putting the Presidents up 5-0 early in the first period. Chatham finally got on the board with a layup at 8:11, but was unable to overtake W&J as the Presidents extended the gap to six, 13-7, with a layup by Beka Bellhy with 3:15 left in the first. The final two points of the period were put up by Rachel Bellhy in the paint, with 18 ticks left in the quarter remaining, wrapping the first up with a score of 21-17.
 
The second period saw W&J opening scoring once again, this time with a jump shot by India March. Although the Cougars answered with a three-pointer, March completed a layup off of a fast break at 8:55, followed by Katey Wilson sinking two free throws at 8:18. Chatham continued to trail as they made three free throws in a row, bringing the visitors within four, 30-26. The Presidents ended the second period with a 10-point margin, 40-30, after a layup by Ashley Mikelonis at with 17 seconds left in the half.
 
Chatham was able to get on the board first to start the third period, but consecutive free throw by Amirah Moore, a three-pointer by Danni Medovich and layup by Beka Bellhy saw W&J up by a score of 48-34. A drained triple by Taylor Cortazzo at 2:54 gave the Presidents a 17-point lead, with period wrapping up at 65-52.
 
W&J sustained the lead into the fourth, earning a game-high margin of 25 points following a free throw by Madison Bastress at 2:32.
 
The Presidents were able to convert 37.8 percent of their shots, while completing 82.1 percent of their free throws. For the game, W&J held a commanding 63-39 advantage on rebounds, scoring 24 second-chance points and 46 points in the paint.
 
Beka Bellhy secured a double-double, posting 23 points while bringing down 11 rebounds. She made 7 of her 13 shot, while completing 90 percent of her free throws.
 
Moore contributed on the offensive with 10 points and five assists, while adding six rebounds. Defensively, Mya Gordon had three blocks to go with eight rebounds.
 
The Presidents will go on the road for the rest of December, beginning at Thiel on December 8 at 5:30 pm.