WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team (4-2) closed out Day one of the 2025 Great Lakes Invitational with a 70-69 win over the Case Western Reserve Spartans (3-2).
 
Senior captain Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga./North Cobb) led the Presidents with 17 points and seven rebounds. Junior Matthew Carte (Ravenswood, W.Va./Ravenswood) had an additional 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. The Presidents shot a combined 41% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc.
 
The contest was a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip. Throughout the contest, there were 16 lead changes and 12 ties. W&J had the largest lead in the half going up 28-23. W&J's defensive pressure led to scoring 16 points off CWRU turnovers.
 
The Presidents also tried to push the pace, outscoring CWRU 15-8 on fast break points in the opening 20 minutes. Neither team could find an edge, as the score at the halftime interval was deadlocked at 36.
 
W&J opened the second half on a 14-6 run. Acosta had eight points, including one three-pointer during this stretch. This opening run proved to be the difference for most of the half, until the Spartans were able to slowly claw away at the advantage and take the lead with just over five minutes to play.
 
The Spartans were on their own 14-6 run before senior captain Matt Seidl (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) hit a three-pointer and two free throws to give W&J a 68-67 lead. CWRU made a layup on the offensive end to go up 69-68 before Acosta hit two game clinching free throws to give W&J their first program win in the Great Lakes Invitational.
 
W&J returns for their second game of the Great Lakes Invitational to take on the No. 21 ranked Maryville (Tenn.) Scots. Opening Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.