WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- The Washington & Jefferson men's basketball team returned to the court following a 19-day layoff and was dealt a 71-55 defeat at the hands of host Otterbein on the first day of the 37th annual Smokey Ballenger Classic.

W&J held a 29-28 scoring advantage in the second half, but was unable to make up the 43-26 halftime deficit.

Brian Lindquist (Narvon, Pa./Pequa Valley) posted a game-high 17 points, one shy of his season-best of 18 points. The junior made 7-of-10 shots from the field and all three of his free-throw attempts, while also pulling down five boards in 26 minutes of action.

Joe Satira (Munhall, Pa./Serra Catholic) finished with a season-high nine points after finishing a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond-the-arc. Sean Stinelli (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) led the Presidents with six rebounds, while Alex Richards (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and Mike Zappala (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) each handed out a team-best three assists.

The Presidents will take on Hiram on the second day of the event, Friday, Dec. 30 for a 3 p.m. tip. The Terriers are 4-6 on the season, but hold a 2-1 record against members of the Presidents' Athletic Conference, including a 74-59 win over Waynesburg earlier in the day on Thursday.