MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson women's basketball team defeated the Allegheny Gators to open their 2025 slate, 66-59.
 
W&J uplifts to an 8-0 record in Presidents' Athletic Conference play and an 11-2 overall record. Allegheny falls to 5-1 after collecting their first loss in conference play with a 6-5 overall record. The loss additionally snaps a six-game win streak for the Gators. Both teams came into the bout unbeaten in conference play.
 
Bryn Bezjak (Uniontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) led the Presidents in scoring with 14 points with three assists. Adalynn Cherry (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) followed with a full-phase effort contributing 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. Katie Kovalchick (Shelocta, Pa./Indiana Area) added 13 points with six rebounds and three assists.
 
Meghan Dryburgh (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) pocketed her seventh double-double of the season, logging 12 rebounds and 10 points on the afternoon.
 
After the Gators jumped out to a 5-0 lead two minutes in to the opening quarter, W&J responded with an 8-3 run to even the score at eight. A paint jumper by Kovalchick gave the Presidents their first lead of the bout. Jaden Wan (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock) and Dryburgh closed the quarter with a paint bucket each to leave the Presidents with a 14-12 lead after one.
 
W&J ripped off a 10-0 run to open the second quarter sparked by back-to-back triples from Riley DeRubbo (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and Dryburgh. A three-pointer drained by Wan and layup made by Bezjak closed out the scoring for both sides, W&J up 31-22 heading into the half.
 
Traded makes from both sides aided the Presidents in maintaining a double figure lead, 40-29. Kovalchick contributed four made free throws while Dryburgh drilled her second made three. W&J foul trouble granted Allegheny trips to the charity stripe to remain in striking distance heading into the final quarter of play.
 
The Gators opened the final quarter with a 9-2 run, bringing the Presidents' lead to six. Paint points from DeRubbo and Cherry elevated the W&J back to double figures with four minutes remaining, 61-51. Allegheny struck back with an unanswered 7-0 to move within three points. W&J made 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to secure the 66-59 victory.
 
W&J held sizeable advantages in points off of turnovers (21-4), bench points (12-5) and paint points (34-22). The Presidents also edged the Gators in the rebound battle (41-40) and second-chance points (10-9). The Gators held a 12-6 differential in fast break points.
 
The Presidents return home to host their first game of the 2025 slate in Salvitti Family Gymnasium to face the Thiel Tomcats, Wednesday (Jan. 8). Tipoff is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start.