WASHINGTON - Freshman guard Noah Valencia (Riverside, Calif.) scored a career-high 28 points as he made 7 of 9 shots from behind the arc to lead Gallaudet University to a 98-65 win over College of Saint Elizabeth in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) men's basketball game Sunday afternoon in the Field House.

Valencia had a strong first half as he scored 20 points as he converted 7 of 12 shots from the field including 5-for-6 from 3-point range. The freshman scored a third of GU's first half points as the Bison took a 63-36 lead into halftime.

Junior forward Andy Cruz (Bronx, N.Y.) was one of three Bison to reach double figures in the first half as he poured in 14 points. Cruz made a 3-pointer at the buzzer as GU held its largest halftime lead this season.

Gallaudet remains unscathed in conference play with a perfect 6-0 record and is off to one of the best starts in program history with an 8-3 mark.

The Bison were able to empty the bench in the second half as GU head coach Kevin Kovacs played all 13 players who dressed for the game. GU slowed the game down in the second half as the Bison outscored the Eagles, 35-29.

Senior center Joshua McGriff (Somerset, N.J.) was GU's second-leading scorer with 23 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Fellow senior guard Raymond Nelson (Riverside, Calif.) added eight points, seven assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block.

Saint Elizabeth (2-7, 1-4 NEAC) was led by Jason Saldiveri's 16-point performance while Marlon Hart and Devon Tuten added 11 points each.

BISON TRACKS

• Valencia's seven 3-pointers ties a career best while his 10 field goals made is a new career record
• Senior Shawn Harrington (Frederick, Md.) tallied six points, five rebounds, two steals, one block and one assist off the bench
• Freshman Matthew Sherman (Angora, Minn.) scored a career best five points to go with two rebounds and two steals in 12 minutes of action
• Freshman Connor Henze (Elk Point, S.D.) scored four points and four rebounds
• Gallaudet's largest lead was 37 points at the 8:44 mark in the second half
• The Bison scored 46 points in the paint
• GU is now 4-2 at home this season

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will wrap-up a three-game homestand on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. against Penn St.-Abington (4-5, 3-1 NEAC) in a South Division conference clash.