W&J Women’s Basketball Opens Season with Victory Over Transylvania
Washington & Jefferson Edges Transylvania 62-58 in Season Opener
Katie Kovalchick recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds, leading the Washington & Jefferson College women’s basketball team to a 62-58 victory over the Transylvania Pioneers in Washington, Pennsylvania. The game served as the second matchup of the first annual Coach Vicki Staton Tipoff Classic, pitting two reigning conference champions and 2025-26 NCAA Tournament teams against each other to open the 2026-27 campaign. The Washington & Jefferson College women’s basketball team started 1-0, while the Transylvania Pioneers opened at 0-1. Kovalchick, a senior center from Shelocta, Pa./Indiana Area, also recorded four assists and one block, while Jaden Wan hailed from Newtown, Pa./Council Rock and freshman guard Bri Morreale represented Venetia, Pa./Peters Township.
Presidents Erase Early Deficit to Lead at Halftime
Jaden Wan added 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals for the Presidents. Freshman guard Bri Morreale contributed seven points, two steals, and two assists in her debut. Transylvania grabbed an early 17-7 advantage in the opening quarter before W&J responded with a 12-point swing in the second frame. Kovalchick and Wan combined for 10 points during that run, helping the Red & Black build a 29-28 edge by halftime. The Pioneers originally led 10-4 before a triple off a pass from Marina Grado (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) cut the Transylvania advantage to three, prior to Transylvania’s 10-point response. W&J then outscored Transylvania 20-11 in the second quarter, taking a 21-20 lead during their 12-point surge, with Morreale, Grado, and Wan helping lift the advantage to 29-28.
Second-Half Execution Secures the Win
W&J maintained control through the second half, stretching the margin to 10 points with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Transylvania narrowed the gap to two points with 1:13 left on the clock, but Jacey Mullen sank two free throws under 40 seconds remaining after the Pioneers missed consecutive layups. The Presidents finished the contest holding advantages in points in the paint (36-28), fastbreak points (13-3), points off turnovers (16-13), and total rebounds (35-30). W&J advances to face Case Western Reserve at the Salvitti Family Gymnasium on November 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Opening the third quarter, Kovalchick scored the initial points for a 32-28 score, and Raegan Kadlecik (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) added a bucket following a Transylvania free throw. Kovalchick then hit a fastbound triple to make it 37-29, and a Morreale three-pointer pushed the score to 44-38 heading into the fourth quarter.
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