Washington & Jefferson (20-6, 14-2) vs. Chatham (18-7, 10-6)

When: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Where: Washington, Pa.
Court: Salvitti Family Gymnasium
Time: 6:00 P.M.

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SERIES HISTORY: The Washington & Jefferson College Presidents will square off with the Cougars of Chatham University in a PAC Tournament semifinal contest, marking the 48th meeting between the two programs. W&J has long dominated the series, but Chatham has been able to salvage three of the last eight contests, including a 2022-23 PAC semifinal upset, when the Cougars bested W&J at the Salvitti Family Gymnasium.
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS: Chatham is led by David Saur, who is in his eighth year at the helm. Saur has led the Cougars to a 112-57 record during his time in Squirrel Hill, including a PAC Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2024. Madison Nereu finished the 2025-26 regular season as the PAC's leading scorer averaging 18.3 points per game. She also ranked fifth in field goal shooting percentage, making 51.4 percent of attempts. Alyssa Laukus finished the season as the league's top shooter from the field at 57.8 percent. Defensively, Chatham has allowed the fewest points per game this season, holding opponents to just 54.6 points on average.
 
SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS
Game E- #3S Bethany at #1S Saint Vincent - 7:00P.M.
Game F - #4S Chatham at #2S W&J - 6:00 P.M.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Game G - Winner of Game E vs. Winner of Game F
(at higher seed)
 
EARLIER THIS YEAR AGAINST THE COUGARS: W&J has won both contests this season against Chatham, marking the first time since the 2022-23 season that W&J swept Chatham in regular season play.
 
12/3/25- W&J 61, Chatham 52: In its first league game of the year W&J hosted the Cougars in a rematch of the 2024-25 PAC Tournament Championship game. In the rematch, W&J trailed 30-24 at the half, but dominated play in the third quarter, shooting 42.1 percent from the field and not allowing Chatham to convert a single shot from the field in the quarter.
 
1/28/26- W&J 64, Chatham 52: The second game of the season series featured another low scoring battle. However, the Presidents were able to outscore Chatham in each of the first three quarters, which provided enough cushion for W&J to secure the victory. W&J outrebounded Chatham 46-35 and controlled 12 offensive boards which led to 10 second chance points.
 
LAST YEAR'S MAGIC: W&J delivered a historic season last year, assembling the most successful campaign in program history. The Presidents' postseason run began with a PAC tournament semifinal victory over Grove City and continued with a title-round win over Chatham to secure the tournament title and the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. In the first round of the national tournament, W&J earned its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history with an overtime triumph over No. 24 Messiah. The run concluded in the second round, when the Presidents came up short against No. 18 Ohio Wesleyan. W&J's 24 wins during the 2024-25 campaign, are tied for most in a single season in program history.
 
SENSATIONAL IN SALVITTI: Dating back to the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, W&J has posted an impressive 69-8 record in their home gymnasium.
 
HUNGRY FOR MORE: In her 21 years at W&J, head coach Jina DeRubbo has guided the program to 14 national postseason appearances, including six trips to the NCAA tournament. However, during that same span, DeRubbo has only captured three PAC tournament titles.
 
THE STANDARD: Since the 2013-14 season, W&J boasts an impressive 188-35 record against PAC opponents. In the last four seasons alone, the Presidents are 84-7 in league play and have been crowned conference tournament champions twice.