NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team suffered an 82-75 loss in non-conference play Wednesday evening at Muskingum University. 
 
The Presidents led 42-38 at halftime before stretching the lead into double digits in the second half. W&J seemingly looked in control late as a layup by sophomore guard Brandon Jakiela (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) stretched the lead to 73-63 with just 4:19 to play. 
 
However, the Presidents went cold offensively, and the host Muskies closed the game on a 19-2 run to steal the victory. The Muskies did most of its heavy lifting at the free throw line down the stretch to erase the large deficit. Free throws accounted for 12 of the final 19 points during the game-deciding run for Muskingum. 
 
Trailing 75-70 with 2:33 to play, the Muskies recorded a five-point possession to even the score. Muskingum tacked on seven more points from there to solidify the victory. W&J's last field goal, a layup by Jakiela, came with 3:16 to play. Muskingum scored the final 14 points from there. 
 
W&J closed the first half strong to take a four-point lead into the locker room following a back-and-forth opening 20 minutes. A three-point play by Jakiela pushed W&J in front at 34-33 with 3:55 to play before halftime. Following a brief spurt the Muskies, the Red and Black closed the first half on an 8-1 run. A three-point shot by freshman guard Matthew Carte (Ravenswood, W.Va. / Ravenswood) gave W&J the lead with 42 seconds to play in the opening half. 
 
Back-to-back baskets by sophomore guard Nick Colucci (Havertown, Pa. / Haverford) and sophomore guard Ryan McCort (Saint Clairsville, Ohio / Saint Clairsville) gave W&J's its largest lead of the game, as they led 58-46 at the 14:29 mark of the second half. After a Muskingum run cut the W&J lead to four points (67-63), the Presidents countered with six-straight points to push the lead back to double digits with 4:19 left.
 
Sophomore forward Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga./North Cobb) continued to be a bright spot. The sophomore finished with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Acosta added five rebounds, four blocks and two steals. 
 
Joining Acosta in double figures scoring were Jakiela (12 points), Carte (11 points) and senior guard J.R. Mazza (Bridgeport, W.Va./University) with 10 points. Colucci finished with nine points, three rebounds and three steals. Senior guard Nick Gearhart (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) finished with a game-high five assists in the loss. 
 
Muskingum held advantages in rebounding (42-30), fast break points (23-12), second chance points (14-7) and bench points (35-27). 
 
Both teams shot the ball well from the free throw line. Muskingum converted 22-of-29 attempts (75.9 percent). W&J also had success but had far fewer opportunities, as they made 12-of-16 attempts (75 percent) at the stripe.
 
The Muskies made 15-of-19 free throw attempts in the second half alone while the Presidents were 1-of-4 at the line over the final 20 minutes. 
 
Duane Davis paced the Muskies with 20 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals. 
 
W&J drops to 2-9 with the loss. The win improves the Muskies to 3-5 overall. 
 
W&J travels to Geneva for a Presidents' Athletic Conference game on Saturday, Dec. 16. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Beaver Falls.