WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University women's basketball team fell to SUNY Cobleskill here Sunday afternoon, 61-57, in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) bout in the Field House.

Gallaudet (2-13, 2-9 NEAC South) had its hands full with SUNY Cobleskill (8-7, 4-4 NEAC North) in the post as the Fighting Tigers' height played a role throughout the game.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Bison began to claw their way out of a 10-point deficit as they made a 9-0 run. However, the Bison were not able to take the lead.

With only 38 seconds left, a costly foul by Cobleskill's Erica Cabrera put junior guard Kori Koss (Delavan, Wis.) at the free throw line. Koss knocked down two free throws to cut the lead to three points, 58-55.

In an effort to obtain possession of the ball the Bison began to foul the Fighting Tigers. After Ashley Creighton was only able to convert on one of two free throws, Koss took the ball down the court and knocked down a jumper to tighten the gap to two points.

After another Bison foul and a pair of missed free throws by Cobleskill, GU had its chance to tie or take the lead. Gallaudet's rally fell short when junior guard Tuesdae Dunklin (Gardendale, Ala.) put up a shot in desperation that rang off the iron with 12 seconds left. SUNY Cobleskill put the game away with two additional made free throws in the final seconds.

Freshman guard Jakkisha Smith (Dallas, Texas) led all-scorers with 24 points as she made 11 of 22 shots from the field. Smith added seven rebounds, four steals and two assists in the loss.

Koss added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. She also had a game-high seven assists and six steals.

SUNY Cobleskill was led by forward Shelby Preston (12 rebounds) and guard Ashley Creighton, who scored 19 and 17 points, respectively. Four players came off the bench to score points for the Fighting Tigers as their bench outscored the Bison bench, 20-11.

BISON TRACKS

• Freshman Brianna DiGiovanni (Rochester, N.Y.) netted four points and collected two rebounds off the bench for the Bison
• Junior forward Kelsey Hudson (Blissfield, Mich.) hauled in eight rebounds and scored five points
• Although the Fighting Tigers had a height advantage, the Bison out-rebounded the Fighting Tigers, 41-36
• GU scored 11 second chance points off of 16 offensive rebounds
• Gallaudet outscored Cobleskill on the fastbreak, 16-6

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will conclude a three-game home stand on Tuesday (Jan. 24) against Wilson College (2-13, 0-10 NEAC) at 5 p.m.