COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Gallaudet University women's basketball team lost 90-37 to No. 21 University of Maryland before 4,057 at the Comcast Center in an exhibition game for both teams. The Terrapins, a Division I powerhouse, had three different players in double digits in the win as Maryland held a quite distinct advantage in size and height over GU.
The Bison had a strong crowd presence as the entire Gallaudet volleyball and men's basketball teams came out to the game along with alumni, faculty and staff, current students and supporters of Gallaudet.
Freshman Britny Latham (Cleveland, Tenn.) had an impressive debut for the Buff and Blue as she led the Bison with a game-high 13 points. Latham scored 10 first-half points for Gallaudet with two 3-pointers. All-American senior forward Easter Faafiti (Pittsburg, Calif.) scored eight points and led the team with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
"This was a once in a lifetime experience for our team," said Gallaudet coach Kevin Cook. "Coach Brenda Frese has been very kind to our program. We won't play a team as tough as them the rest of the season. Maryland is at the elite level."
Gallaudet first got on the scoreboard at the 16:18 mark in the first half when Faafiti made a layup to cut the Maryland lead to six, 8-2. A minute later, the Bison cut the Terrapin lead to 10-6 after a Latham 3-pointer. Latham added a free-throw to pull Gallaudet to within three, 10-7. That would be as close as Gallaudet got the rest of the night.
Latham continued her strong first half with her second 3-pointer at the 11:35 mark as Maryland led 16-10. The Terrapins took off from there and jumped out to a 16-4 run with four minutes left in the half. Latham added a free-throw for the Bison with a second before intermission. Maryland led 42-15 at halftime.
"Gallaudet does a nice job spreading the floor. When they spread five out, it made it a little more difficult for our [tall players]," said Maryland coach Brenda Frese. "We appreciate Gallaudet coming in and providing us with an experience to play against them."
In the second half, freshman Stephanie Weiss (Wellington, Fla.) drained a 3-pointer to cut the Maryland lead to 30 with 17 minutes left in the game. Two other highlight plays for the Bison on the night included a steal by Faafiti which led to an easy layup by sophomore Shaquana McDonough (Pembroke, Mass.). Then a great hustle play by the Bison. Latham came up with a loose ball by diving on the ground and pushing the ball out to McDonough. She in turn ran up the court and found a wide open Zamica Gage (Washington, D.C.) for the score with 8:24 left.
Maryland forward Alyssa Thomas netted 11 points and grabbed four rebounds. Center Lynetta Kizer and guard Laurin Mincy both added 10 points in the win. The Terrapins shot over 50 percent from the field as they tallied 54 rebounds. Maryland is one of the tallest teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference as the Terrapins have 10 players over 6 feet.
"We wanted to fight for all 40 minutes. If we gave it our all we would be happy," said Cook.
The Bison held a slight advantage at the free-throw line as GU made 13-of-19 (68.4 percent) compared to Maryland's total 13-of-20 (65 percent).
"This was a very unique experience. We feel very fortunate that Coach Cook and his team would come up here and play," said Frese. "Like I told our players in the locker room after the game, it gives you a perspective of these young ladies and what they are doing at Gallaudet. I think it is amazing for us to have perspective as young people and really admire them and have the opportunity to play with and against them today."
This was the first time that Gallaudet and Maryland met on the court since March 7, 1972. The Terrapins won that contest 56-27 at Gallaudet. That was the first varsity season for the Terrapins. The two teams played several times as club teams from 1950-71.
Gallaudet will officially open the season on Monday, November 22, at home against Christendom College at 6 p.m.
