(WASHINGTON (1/20/07)—Gallaudet put a stop to CUA's six-game win streak and earned its first CAC win of the season off intense defense and an offense that created opportunities for points.  The 55-51 win was the first for the Buff and Blue at DuFour Center since 1994.
The Bison triple teamed the blocks anytime the ball went in the middle negating CUA's height advantage in the paint, forcing the Cardinals to take a lot of outside shots in the first half and creating turnovers.  The aggressive Buff and Blue defense kept CUA out of its groove, resulting in 37% shooting, and 23% from downtown.  The same defense prevented the Cardinals from pushing a last-minute halftime buzzer beating play, preserving the Bison lead into halftime, 25-24. 
Gallaudet's defense limited CUA's offense to only 12-of-37 shooting from the field in the first half despite being beaten off the boards, 19-18.  The key to success in this half was the turnover margin, where Gallaudet gave the ball back 9 times in contrast to CUA's 12.  Cardinal Scott Fumai, the 4th ranked scorer in the CAC averaging 20.1 points, was limited to just 9, another tablet of success from a stingy Bison defense.
The second half saw the same intensity in the Bison defense, once again keeping the CUA offense from finding a rhythm.  Both offenses were trading shots, with the Buff and Blue prevailing off tip-ins from rebounds and a patient offense that created baseline pockets for Onyemachi Davis to go to work.  Jon Mowl and Sekoe White focused on the long and mid-range attacks with some sneak-in layups. The Bison bench also came in handy, posting 14 points to compensate for lack of depth against the Cardinals' stacked lineup. The CUA program book elaborated on the Cardinals' success in the second half while being down, especially their ability to make free throw shots once sent to the line. CUA averaged 68% from the line (from the four times they went into halftime losing).  On this day, they could not convert all free throw opportunities to chip away at the Bison lead. Down the stretch, Jonathan Valencia converted 5 out of 6 of his free-throw opportunities in the final 1:19, also making up for what could have been a game-changing situation.
With 20 seconds left and Gallaudet ahead 52-47, Valencia fouled CUA's Scott Fumai as he was attempting a shot from beyond the arc. Fumai was given three free throw chances as a result, making them all to bring the Cardinals within two, 52-50.  Valencia would be sent to the line again with seconds to spare off a CUA foul, and he converted his shots to seal the win at 55-51.
Onyemachi Davis and Jon Mowl led the Bison with 13 points.  Incidentally, there were four of the Bison scoring in double digits, with Sekoe White chipping in 11 and Jonathan Valencia collecting 10.  
The Bison (3-12, 1-6 CAC host Marymount (7-8, 2-5 CAC) in continuing CAC play on Tuesday, January 23.  The ball goes up at 8 p.m.