Washington & Jefferson (14-5, 9-1) vs. Franciscan (3-16, 0-10)
 
When: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Where: Washington, Pa.
Court: Salvitti Family Gymnasium
Time: 7:30 P.M.

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SERIES HISTORY: The Washington & Jefferson College Presidents are set to face the Barons of Franciscan University of Steubenville in the 11th women's basketball contest between the two institutions. W&J has won each of the 10 contests in the series dating back to the COVID-shortened 2021 season, which was the first for Franciscan as a member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
 
SCOUTING THE BARONS: Franciscan enters the matchup having lost its last 14 games in a row and has not yet won a conference game this season. Graduate student Jazzlyn Melnyk has been a steady presence for the Barons, as one of only two players in the PAC averaging a double-double on the year. She is coming off her 11th game with double-digit points and double-digit rebounds in Franciscan's loss to Hiram this past Saturday.
The Barons are led by head coach Iliana Spoelman in her third year at the helm. Spoelman, a 2016 graduate of Franciscan, ended her three-year career on the hardwood as the program's second all-time leading scorer with 1,176 points. She earned the AMCC's Newcomer of the Year honor during the 2013–14 season.
 
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?: Back on December 6, the Presidents rolled to an 83-47 victory over Franciscan at the Finnegan Fieldhouse in Steubenville, Ohio. Riley DeRubbo (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and Katie Kovalchick (Shelocta, Pa./Indiana Area) accounted for 21 points and seven rebounds each. As a team, W&J shot over 50% from the field, and above 35% from beyond the arc. The Presidents won the turnover battle 25-13 and edged Franciscan in rebounds 34-32. Franciscan was without junior Maria McCallen during that game, who has since returned to the lineup and is averaging over 11 points per game.
 
LAURELS FOR LOUTSION: W&J senior Stellanie Loutsion (Canonsburg, Pa./Canon-McMillan) was named the PAC Player of the Week, as announced by the league on February 2. Loutsion led the Presidents to two road victories this past week posting double figure point totals in each. She also recorded her first career double double in Saturday's win over Grove city by tallying 17 points and pulling down a career-high 13 rebounds.
 
WINNING STREAK STATS: After winning its last three games, W&J is now on its fourth winning streak of the year of three games or longer. Of those four winning streaks, none have gone on to extend past four consecutive wins. The Presidents' current winning streak has consisted of wins over the top two teams in the North division of the PAC.
 
THE STANDARD: Since the 2013-14 season, W&J boasts an impressive 182-34 record against PAC opponents. In the last four seasons alone, the Presidents are 79-6 in league play, and have been crowned conference tournament champions twice.