Washington & Jefferson (15-5, 8-3) vs. Westminster (13-7, 8-3)
 
When: Saturday, February 7, 2026
Where: Washington, Pa.
Court: Salvitti Family Gymnasium
Time: 3:00 P.M.

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THE SERIES: The Washington & Jefferson Presidents and Westminster Titans meet for the 104th time in the history of the Men's Basketball series between the schools. W&J has won eight out of the last ten matchups between the programs. This includes a series sweep last season with a 69-67 win on November 23, 2024, and an 88-79 victory on January 25, 2025. The last Westminster triumph over W&J came on January 10, 2024, in the form of a 71-69 overtime win in New Wilmington. The Red & Black have won each of the last six games in the series that were played in Washington, with the last Westminster win at W&J coming on January 31, 2018.
 
THE PLOT THICKENS: Junior forward Nathan Plotner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) has been one of the premier defenders in Division III this season. Plotner is tied for sixth in the division with 58 blocks. The big man's block total is 24 blocks greater than the second-highest total in the PAC. The junior also ranks 27th in Division III with 50 steals. Plotner leads the Presidents in scoring with an average of 14.9 points per game.
 
LAST SEASON'S MATCHUPS: W&J and Westminster faced off twice in the 2024-25 campaign, with the Presidents claiming wins in both matchups.
 
The Presidents took the first game 69-67 on November 23, 2024 in Washington. After Westminster opened up a quick double-digit lead, the Presidents were able to claw back and took the lead with a 36-33 advantage heading into the break. After the lead switched hands two more times, the Presidents would lead the rest of the way and held on to win the close contest. Nathan Plotner (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg South) led the way with 14 points, 11 boards, three blocks, and five steals.
 
The second contest between the schools last season took place in New Wilmington, with W&J winning 88-79. After some early lead changes, the Presidents took control of the lead halfway through the first frame and would never lose it again. W&J finished the first half up 37-35. A hot start to the second half put W&J up 49-35, and the Presidents closed out the Titans. Matt Seidl (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) led the Jaymen with 22 points.
 
ACOSTA APPROACHING: After a junior season that included time lost to injury, 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 averages 12.2 points per game at a 56.2% clip from the field. Acosta stands just one point away from becoming the 28th player in program history to score 1,000 points.
 
I'LL TAKE THAT: The Presidents have kept their identity of swarming full-court defense intact. W&J has forced 19.95 turnovers per game and holds an average turnover margin of +6.3, ranking 10th and 13th in each respective statistic.
 
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE: W&J has been dominant at home during the last five seasons. The Presidents hold a 45-14 record in the Salvitti Family Gymnasium over the last five seasons.
 
PAC PICTURE: The Presidents stand in a tie in second place in the Presidents' Athletic Conference South division with Saint Vincent, however the Bearcats hold the head-to-head advantage over W&J. The teams stands a game behind Chatham in the Division. In the North, Westminster holds a two-game lead atop the division with Allegheny in second.
 
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                 33-44 (.429)
Thiel                                   97-47 (.674)
Waynesburg                   68-58 (.540)
Westminster                  41-62 (.398)
Total                                  567-505 (.529)
 
PAC LEADERS: Listed below are statistics which have Presidents ranked in the top 10 of the PAC:
 
- Rebounds Per Game: (7.2) Plotner (5th), (6.8) Acosta (7th)
- Field Goal Percentage: (.590) Plotner (1st)
- Blocks: (58) Plotner (1st)
- Blocks Per Game: (2.9) Plotner (1st)
- Steals: (50) Plotner (2nd), (38) Cameron Rowell (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) (7th), (37) Siedl (9th)
- Steals Per Game: (2.5) Plotner (2nd), (2.4) Rowell (4th), (1.9) Seidl (9th)
- Minutes Per Game: (33.3) Siedl (5th), (32.2) Plotner (10th)
 
* All statistics through February 4, 2026