TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - Top-seeded Chatham University will meet No. 3 Washington & Jefferson College for the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Men's Basketball Tournament championship after each team posted wins in the semifinals on Thursday. The championship game will be Saturday at Chatham and tip-off at 7:30 pm.

The Cougars (22-4) advanced to the championship game for the third time in the last four years with a 91-80 triumph over fifth seed Grove City College. Chatham will be playing for their third PAC crown in program history following league titles in 2019 and 2023.

For W&J (21-6), their 87-79 win on the road Thursday over No. 2 Saint Vincent College put them in the tournament final for the first time since they won the title in 2022. That year, the Presidents defeated Chatham 68-63 for W&J's 10th all-time PAC championship.

Thursday, Feb. 27 (Semifinal 1 - Pittsburgh, Pa.)
#1 Chatham 91, #5 Grove City 80

Chatham had five players score in double digits and shot 54 percent (27-50) taking the win on their home court against the Wolverines (16-11). In addition to strong shooting from the floor, the Cougars converted 27-of-34 attempts from the foul line (79 percent).

Chatham opened the game with a 22-4 run, but Grove City chipped away to get it to a 38-31 deficit by halftime. The Wolverines moved within a basket on two occasions in the second half, but a 16-5 spurt by the Cougars extended the lead back into double digits and Chatham would close out the win.

Pacing the Cougars offensive outburst was Simon Boyer with 23 points, while Diuan Pinkett put together an impressive line with 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Coming off the bench to hit for 19, including five three-pointers, was Easton Fulmer and adding in 10 points apiece was Blaine Gartley and Zavea Green.

Four scored in double digits in the contest for Grove City, with Mike Christenson leading the way with 16 points. Knocking down five threes and scoring 15 points was Jonah Bock, while Isaac Cherry finished with 13 and Chase Yarberough posted 11 points.

Thursday, Feb. 27 (Semifinal 2 - Latrobe, Pa.)
#3 W&J 87, #2 Saint Vincent 79

A late-game surge propelled W&J to upset Saint Vincent. After building as large as a 19-point lead in the opening half, the Presidents found themselves trailing by as many as five in the second half following a Bearcat rally. The Presidents responded with a 9-0 run to regain the lead and then delivered an 11-4 run in the final 2:15 to secure the victory and move on to the Championship game.

The W&J efforts were by led by Matthew Carte, who was 11-for-11 from the foul line and totaled a game-high 23 points, while Nathan Plotner posted 11. The Presidents also received big games from their two freshmen off the bench in Cameron Rowell, who scored 19 points, and Michael Plasko, who amassed 10 points and pulled down a team-leading seven rebounds. 

For the Bearcats, Osyon Jones dropped in a team-high 17 points, Mike Iuzzolino and Dev Ostrowski scored 15 each and Jaden Gales had a double-double with 14 points and 16 boards.

2024-25 PAC Men's Basketball Championship Tournament Schedule
Quarterfinals - Tuesday, Feb. 25
#3 Washington & Jefferson 73, #6 Franciscan 62 - Box Score
#5 Grove City 69,  #4 Geneva 61 - Box Score

Semifinals - Thursday, Feb. 27
#3 W&J 87, #2 Saint Vincent 79 - Box Score
#1 Chatham 91, #5 Grove City 80 - Box Score

Championship - Saturday, March 1
at highest remaining seed - 7:30 pm