WASHINGTON - The Gallaudet University women's basketball team faced a stern task here Wednesday night as the Bison played host to nationally-ranked Marymount (Va.) University in the Field House. The ninth-ranked Saints rolled to a 77-39 victory over the Bison.

Gallaudet (1-4) was held to a season-low 39 points as Marymount (8-0) forced 30 turnovers which led to 39 points. The Saints' defense tallied 22 steals and five blocks.

The Bison scored the game's first basket when freshman forward Cassidy Perry (Frederick, Md.) made a jump shot off a pass from fellow freshman guard Rajena Guettler (Frederick, Md.), just 25 seconds in. Marymount eventually took the lead for good, a minute later, and never looked back en route to its eighth straight win.

The Saints led 24-10 after the first quarter and took a 37-20 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Gallaudet was outscored 40-19.

Perry led GU's offense with eight points, four rebounds and two blocks. Junior guard Jakkisha Smith (Dallas) tallied seven points and seven rebounds and Guettler ended with six points, six rebounds and three steals. Junior guard Emelia Beldon (Frederick, Md.) swiped a team best four steals and dished out six assists.

Marymount was paced by sophomore forward Katie McShea, who scored a game-high 21 points to go with 11 rebounds for a double-double. Guard Symantha Shackelford had a game-high six steals to go with nine points. The Saints played all 12 players in uniform as everyone scored at least two points. 

BISON TRACKS

• The two teams entered the game averaging over 62 points per game
• Gallaudet received 13 points from its bench
• The Bison had 12 fast break points and scored 24 points in the paint
• GU shot 31.6 percent from the field (18-for-57)
• Gallaudet did not make one 3-pointer out of eight attempts
• It was the first time GU didn't make a 3-pointer in a game this season
• The Bison played 11 players in uniform

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will hit the road for the first time this season and travel to New York to face Cazenovia College (2-5) in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) opener this Saturday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m.