Washington & Jefferson (17-6, 10-4) vs. Bethany (10-13, 6-8)
 
When: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Where: Washington, Pa.
Court: Salvitti Family Gymnasium
Time: 5:30 P.M.

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THE SERIES: The Washington & Jefferson Presidents and Bethany Bison meet for the 198th time in the history of Men's Basketball at the schools. Bethany is W&J's most common opponent in the sport all-time. The Presidents lead the series 108-89, but the Bison won the previous matchup this season 87-83 in Bethany. W&J last defeated the Bison on February 1, 2025, in Washington with a 91-71 victory. The last time the Bison won in Washington came on December 2, 2023, by the score 89-76. Bethany has three out of the last five matchups in the rivalry, but the Presidents won nine consecutive prior to that.
 
THE PLOT THICKENS: Junior forward Nathan Plotner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) has been one of the premier defenders in Division III over the last two seasons. The 2024-25 PAC Defensive Player of the Year is looking to repeat those honors as the best statistical defender in the league. The junior is tied for eighth in the division with 61 blocks. The big man's block total is 25 blocks greater than the second-highest total in the PAC. Plotner also ranks 43rd in Division III with 54 steals and leads the Presidents in scoring with an average of 14.6 points per game.
 
THE LAST MATCHUP: W&J and Bethany faced off earlier this season on January 7. The Bison were able to pull off an upset and down the Presidents 87-83. W&J was coming off two-and-a-half-week break during the holiday season and had a rusty performance.
 
The teams went back-and-forth in the opening half and the frame ended with a 36-35 advantage for the Presidents, due in part to 14 Bethany turnovers. After the Presidents opened the half with a couple quick scores, Bethany went on a 16-0 run, including four consecutive triples. The Presidents clawed back and cut the deficit to one at 65-64. Bethany pulled away again, but W&J once again battled back to a small, three-point deficit with 1:36 remaining. However, the offense stalled and Bethany prevailed 87-83. The Presidents were doomed by a meager performance at the free throw line, going 14-31 (45.2%). Jaden Stewart drained six threes for the Bison.
 
ACOSTA THE ANCHOR: Senior forward Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga./North Cobb) has been a model of consistency for the Presidents. The 2023-24 All-PAC First Team selection became the 28th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark. The big man has averaged 12 points and 6.7 boards per game this season and has shot at a 56.4% clip from the field.
 
I'LL TAKE THAT: The Presidents have kept their identity of swarming full-court defense intact. W&J has forced 19.83 turnovers per game and holds an average turnover margin of +6.0, ranking 10th and 14th in each respective statistic.
 
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: W&J has been dominant at home during the last five seasons. The Presidents hold a 46-14 record in the Salvitti Family Gymnasium over the last five seasons.
 
PAC PICTURE: Following the weekend's results, the eight teams that will be playing in the PAC Tournament is now known. Over Wednesday and Saturday's action, seeding is what is on the line. The Presidents stand behind Saint Vincent and in a three-way tie for second with Chatham and Franciscan but hold the advantage in the tie as W&J is 3-1 in games against the other two, while Chatham is 2-2 and Franciscan is 1-3. In the North, Westminster has clinched the top spot.
 
W&J VS. THE PAC:
Team                                 Record (Pct.)
Allegheny                        60-46 (.566)
Bethany                           108-89 (.548)
Chatham                         12-13 (.480)
Franciscan                     13-3 (.813)
Geneva                            44-47 (.484)
Grove City                       67-72 (.482)
Hiram                                24-24 (.500)
Saint Vincent                 33-45 (.423)
Thiel                                   98-47 (.676)
Waynesburg                   68-58 (.540)
Westminster                  42-62 (.404)
Total                               569-506 (.529)
 
PAC LEADERS: Listed below are statistics which have Presidents ranked in the top 10 of the PAC:
 
- Rebounds Per Game: (7.0) Plotner (6th), (6.7) Acosta (9th)
- Field Goal Percentage: (.603) Plotner (1st)
- Assists Per Game: (2.5) Matthew Carte (Ravenswood, W.Va./Ravenswood) (t-10th)
- Blocks: (61) Plotner (1st), (22) Acosta (8th)
- Blocks Per Game: (2.7) Plotner (1st), (1.0) Acosta (8th)
- Steals: (54) Plotner (2nd), (48) Matt Siedl (t-4th), (44) Cameron Rowell (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) (7th)
- Steals Per Game: (2.3) Plotner (2nd), (2.3) Rowell (3rd), (2.1) Seidl (6th)
- Minutes Per Game: (32.8) Siedl (7th)
 
* All statistics through February 14, 2026