WASHINGTON, Pa. – Despite taking a lead in the second half, the Washington & Jefferson men's basketball team were unable to snap their now nine-game losing streak as they were taken down by visiting Grove City 81-68 on Wednesday evening in their first Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup of the new year. 
 
The loss drops the Presidents to 1-7 in league play and 2-11 overall. The Wolverines improve to 3-5 in the PAC and 6-6 overall. 
 
Grove City led for majority of the contest and entered the second half with a 31-26 edge over the Presidents. W&J was able to rally back in the second half taking their only lead of the evening when Ryan McCort (Saint Clairsville, Ohio / Saint Clairsville) drained a three-pointer with 11:58 remaining. The lead was short-lived however as the Wolverines countered with six straight points over the next minute of play to build a 51-46 lead.
 
The two teams continued to battle back and forth but Grove City eventually pulled away for the double-digit victory.
 
J.R. Mazza (Bridgeport, W.Va. / University) paced the Presidents with a season-high 24 points. Mazza equaled his single game career-high eight three-pointers. Mazza has now made eight three-pointers in a game three times in his career.

Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga. / North Cobb) finished with 21 points and seven rebounds in another strong individual effort. 
 
W&J outscored Grove City in bench points (36-25). The Wolverines cashed in on a 38-22 advantage in points in the paint. Grove City shot 28 of 53 (53 percent) from the floor overall while W&J only shot 39 percent (24 of 62) from the field.
 
W&J will host Saint Vincent for a conference game on Saturday Jan. 6. Tip off at Salvitti Family Gymnasium is set for 3 p.m.