CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Presidents shot an even 50 percent from the field, but were unable to get a second-half deficit below three points in an 82-78 loss to Alfred (N.Y.) to close play at the Bill Sudeck Holiday Tournament, hosted by Case Western Reserve.

Washington & Jefferson led by as many as nine points midway through the first half, but the Saxons used an 11-2 run to tie the game at the 8:09-mark of the period. Brian Graytok (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) scored the next three points for W&J, 24-23 (6:19), which would mark the last lead of the day for the red and black.

In the second half, Alfred built the lead to double digits, but W&J clawed back into the game, getting within 74-71 with 3:37 to go with a layup from Sven Zepic (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin). The Presidents were unable to get any closer before falling by four points.

Brian Lindquist (Narvon, Pa./Pequea Valley) led W&J with 19 points on 7-of-12 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. The senior also hauled in six rebounds and handed out two assists.

Sean Stinelli (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) made four three-pointers on his way to 14 points, while Jonathan DeVito (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) and Zepic both made multiple triples and had four rebounds. DeVito knocked down three three-pointers and Zepic added a pair. Graytok posted a team high seven boards, plus six points and three assists.

With nonconference play complete for 2017-18, W&J will return to Presidents' Athletic Conference play at Thiel, with tip-off on Wednesday, Jan. 3 set for 3 p.m. in Greenville, Pa.