Matthews' Free Throw Shooting Helps Presidents Top Waynesburg
WAYNESBURG, Pa. -- Senior guard Paul Matthews (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Salem) made the most free throws by a President in recent history and Washington & Jefferson swept the season series from Waynesburg after a 56-42 victory on Wednesday evening at Marisa Fieldhouse.
Matthews knocked down 16-of-23 free throws and finished with a game-high 23 points. Both his makes and attempts were the most by a President since 1998. He added nine rebounds, two assists and two steals.
In addition, seniors Brian Felker (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) and Nick Morelli (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) became the career games played leaders at Washington & Jefferson after playing their 109th games in W&J uniforms.
W&J (10-14, 7-6 PAC) extended its win streak over Waynesburg to 14 games by holding the Yellow Jackets (5-19, 2-11 PAC) to 29 percent shooting (16-of-55). The Yellow Jackets, who have lost 12 consecutive games, made just eight field goals in each half and missed 10 of their 16 free throw attempts.
W&J led 27-18 at halftime and won despite making only 6-of-19 shots in the final 20 minutes. The Presidents did most of their damage at the free throw line, making 16-of-25 attempts in the second half.
Sophomores Zach Bellhy (McDonald, Pa./Fort Cherry) and Ben Cecchini (Jamestown, N.Y./Jamestown) both contibuted 11 points. Cecchini grabbed eight rebounds, while Bellhy notched six. W&J shot 32 percent (15-of-47) and made 23-of-37 free throws. The Presidents held a slim 46-45 edge in rebounding and forced 17 WU turnovers.
Jeff Young led Waynesburg with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
W&J will celebrate the careers of five seniors Saturday following its game with Bethany (4:00 pm). A win over the Bison and a Thomas More loss to Saint Vincent would give the Presidents the No. 4 seed and a quarterfinal home game in next week's PAC Tournament.
