WASHINGTON – The Gallaudet University women's basketball team flew past the University of Valley Forge, 61-19, on Friday during the first day of the GU Holiday Tournament.

The Bison (2-3) jumped out to a 17-0 lead at the start of the game before the Patriots (1-5) scored their first points over six minutes into the game. Valley Forge was unable to keep up with Gallaudet, who controlled the ball the majority of the game. The Bison forced 21 turnovers by the half and scored 26 points off the Patriot errors. The first half ended with a 27-point lead, 37-10, in favor of Gallaudet.

The second half of the game was much of the same as the Bison kept the Patriots scoreless for the first five minutes of play. Every Bison in uniform saw action in the game and contributed to the team's 61 points, led by junior Zamica Gage (Washington, D.C.) who scored 18 points, 14 of those in the first half. Junior Danielle Warren (San Jose, Calif.) and senior Elena Ciccarelli (Whitesboro, N.Y.) added 10 points each to boost the Bison offense.

Ciccarelli also led in rebounds (11) and steals (five) for Gallaudet and recorded her first double-double of the season. Gage had another solid game as she pulled down eight rebounds, passed out five assists and made four steals. Senior Lane Peters (Phoenix, Ariz.) grabbed seven rebounds in the win. The Bison bench came in to score 19 points, GU scored 26 points in the post and 30 points came off Patriot turnovers. 

Sophomore Ariene Ohimer led the Patriots with 12 rebounds and four points. Valley Forge will face Trinity Washington University (3-2) in the women's consolation game Saturday morning at 10 a.m. The Bison will challenge Howard Community College (2-6) at noon in the tournament's championship game. Howard defeated Trinity in a close game, 69-62, on Friday afternoon.