WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team (15-5,8-3) picked up a key Presidents' Athletic Conference South Division victory over the Franciscan Barons (15-5,7-4), 81-77.
Michael Plasko (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) fueled the Presidents to the victory with a career-high 27 point-performance. Plasko additionally added seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Alex Acosta (Acworth, Ga./North Cobb) dropped his third double-double performance of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Acosta is currently one point away from 1,000 career points.
The Barons opened the conference clash with an 11-6 advantage at the 14-minute mark. The Presidents' first six free throw attempts were and-one attempts, allowing W&J to create its first half lead. Plasko contributed three of the six and-one attempts within the midst of the opening half. Acosta followed suite, completing an old fashioned three-point play to grant the Presidents a nine-point lead, 35-26.
Matthew Carte (Ravenswood, W.Va./Ravenswood),
Nick Colucci (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) and Acosta each contributed in the final five minutes of the first half as they helped compile a 49-38 lead at the halftime break. Plasko also the first half with 16 points.
The Presidents remained steady in the opening portions of the second half, seeing freshman
Parker Schramm (Williamstown, W.Va./Williamstown) hit back-to-back corner triples. A Baron run saw the once double figure Presidents lead trimmed to one at the 8:42 minute mark, 64-63. With the score knotted at 66, W&J mounted a 6-0 run off the efforts of Plasko and Acosta. Despite a down to the wire finish, the Presidents carried that lead to the final buzzer, 81-77.
W&J excelled on the boards this evening, winning the rebounding battle 42-36. The team also edged the Barons in the turnover margin, creating opportunities through their smothering press (15-12). Additionally, the Red & Black held advantages in bench points (42-27), points in the paint (52-30) and second chance points (15-9).
The Presidents return to the Salvitti Family Gymnasium on Saturday (Feb. 7) for a PAC matchup with the Westminster Titans. Opening tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m.
