WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Washington & Jefferson College women's basketball team wrapped the 2024 Hampton Inn by Hilton Women's Basketball Tipoff unscathed after defeating Otterbein, 68-51.
The Presidents now move to 2-0 on the season following the victory while the Cardinals shift to 1-1.
Stellanie Loutsion (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) headlined the Hampton Inn by Hilton Women's Basketball Tipoff as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Bryn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) accompanied Loustion as a top performer during the tournament, with an All-Tournament nod.
Sophomore
Jaden Wan (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock) led the Presidents in scoring on the night with 13 points. The sophomore standout also shot five-for-nine from the field and picked up seven rebounds.
Meghan Dryburgh (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) registered her first double-double of the season. Dryburgh played a complete game, tallying 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 23 minutes of work.
W&J posted a 44.0 shooting percentage from the field as a team compared to the Cardinals who shot 29.0 percent on shots at the conclusion of the bout.
The Presidents bounced out to an 8-4 lead in the first quarter, off two triples by
Adalynn Cherry (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) and Wan. With nifty paintwork by Wan and a catch-and-shoot three from
Hannah Archer (Lowell, Ohio/Fort Frye), W&J managed a commanding 18-9 lead after the first quarter of play.
The Presidents stretched a 14-0 run on the Cardinals into the midst of the second quarter. Wan ripped off two three-point makes while Cherry drilled one as well during the run. As Otterbein free throws snapped the unanswered run, the Presidents grew their lead to 32-21 as the half came to a close.
Opening the second half of play, W&J kept their foot on the gas logging the first four points of the renewed half. A full-phase sequence took place with Loutsion and Dryburgh, starting with a layup made by Dryburgh off a dish from Loutsion. The following possession, Loutsion stuffed a Cardinal three-point attempt that quickly led to a fastbreak layup or the sophomore guard off the rebound and dish from Dryburgh. Following the smooth sequence, the Cardinals began to quickly chip away at the Presidents' lead. Otterbein nailed a three to bring the score within one, 41-42 with one minute remaining in the third. Successful makes from the charity stripe by Bezjak and
Katie Kovalchick (Shelocta, Pa./Indiana Area) built the lead to 46-41 at the close of the quarter.
After the third quarter scare, W&J cruised to their second win of the season. The Presidents outscored the Cardinals 22-10 in the fourth. Dryburgh and Kovalchick closed the quarter with seven points each in the fourth while the Presidents took a 68-51 victory.
Otterbein held advantages in second-chance points (15-13) and turnover differential (13-18). W&J posted a slight edge in rebounding (39-38) and owned the fast break with nine points to the Cardinals zero.
Cherry and Dryburgh each led the team in steals with two. Dryburgh, Kovalchick and Loutsion ed the team in blocks with two each.
The Presidents continue their non-conference slate this coming Wednesday (Nov. 13), to face the Tartans of Carnegie Mellon. Opening tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
