WASHINGTON, Pa. – Chatham Women's Basketball (6-2, 0-1 PAC) was defeated 61-52 at Washington & Jefferson (6-1, 1-0) on Wednesday night in a rematch of the 2024-25 PAC Championship game.
 
Katie Kovalchick led the game in scoring for the Presidents with 22 points on 10-17 shooting. Kovalchick additionally had 3 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Riley DeRubbo recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Stellanie Loutsion also contributed 11 points for W&J.
 
Senior Hannah Chenault was the Cougars' top scorer with 18 points, making 6 of her 11 attempts from the field. Senior Madison Nereu posted a double-double with 14 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and 3 steals. Senior Alyssa Laukus netted 9 points on 3-7 shooting and had a game-high 4 assists and 3 steals for Chatham.
 
The Presidents quickly got out to an 8-0 lead by knocking down back-to-back three-point baskets. The Cougars responded with a 12-2 run to take the lead via 7 points from Chenault and led by a point after the first quarter. The teams traded baskets after that, but with W&J leading 22-20, Nereu drew two three-point plays in under a minute and netted 8 points in a 10-0 Chatham scoring burst to give the Cougars an advantage at the intermission.
 
The Presidents clawed back into the game in the third quarter, and evened the score at 34 with three minutes left in the frame. A 9-2 W&J run in those final three minutes gave them a 7-point lead going into the fourth. An Erin Dixon three-pointer cut the Chatham deficit to 4 early in the quarter, then back-to-back triples from Chenault brought the Cougars within 1. Maria Barela's three a minute later knotted the score at 50, but after Nereu's layup tied the score again at 52 with just under 4 minutes to play, the Presidents closed the game with a 9-0 run to secure the victory.
 
Chatham shot a season-low 31.6% from the field, failing to make a field goal in the third quarter. The Cougars also shot a season-worst 55% from the free throw line. W&J was 37.7% shooting for the game, but shot 45% during a second half in which the Presidents outscored Chatham 37-22. W&J also outrebounded the Cougars 48-35.
 
Women's Basketball will attempt to start a new winning streak at Bethany on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m.