BETHANY, W. Va. – The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team (9-3, 2-1) fell short of a conference win over the Bethany Bison (5-7, 1-2) as the Bison trotted away with an 87-83 victory.
 
The Presidents were led by Matt Seidl (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) who dropped his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Nathan Plotner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) led the team in scoring with 23 points and snagged five rebounds. Seidl and Plotner each finished the contest with five steals each. Quinton Burlenski (Bridgeport, Ohio/Central Catholic) and Cameron Rowell (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) finished in double figures as well with 13 and 11 respectively.
 
W&J opened the game like they hadn't missed a step since 2025, compiling an early 7-0 lead off the work of Alex Acotsa and Plotner. The Presidents held the lead until the 11-minute mark as the Bison took their first lead of the contest, 13-12. A triple from Nick Sukernek (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) and four points from Cameron Rowell (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) helped the Presidents maintain a stalemate at 27 with 4:21 remaining in the opening half.
 
Seidl scored five to put W&J up three before Bethany battled back to earn a brief advantage. Plotner netted some paint points for the Presidents to take a 36-35 lead heading into the halftime break. The Red & Black caused 14 turnovers in the first half of action.
 
Seidl and Burlenski helped push the needle for the Presidents to open the final half of play with two quick layups, 39-35. Bethany quickly responded by entering a 16-0 run that featured four consecutive triples. The Presidents snapped the run with three points from the charity stripe from Plotner and Matthew Carte (Ravenswood, W.Va./Ravenswood), 55-45.
 
W&J caught their stride plays later, working their way back to a one-point deficit down 65-64. Falling behind again, W&J inched their way back within striking distance off a layup from Burlenski and three pointer from Carte with 1:36 remaining, 84-81. A Plotner layup brought the Bison lead to one before the offense stalled, dropping the conference clash 87-83.
 
Despite both teams shooting the ball effectively, Bethany held edges in shooting percentage (52.5%) and won the rebounding battle (37-34). W&J held advantages in points off of turnovers (30-15), fast break points (20-13) and points in the paint (52-36).
 
Men's hoops look to rebound this Saturday (Jan. 10) as they host the Geneva Golden Tornadoes for a weekend Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. start.